Chapter 12 – Until The End
Heart thumping in her chest, Ahsoka steered their vehicle as fast as she could away from the star destroyer. She couldn't sense them. It felt like both her masters had vanished in the force. Calling out to them had let to no response. Fear and despair weren't emotions that should get the better of a jedi, but right now the padawan only knew one thing. She was frightened to death. She might never see her master or grandmaster ever again.
Gripping the controls tighter, Ahsoka tried to calm herself. Still dwelling on her thoughts, she at first didn't notice the gentle hand that landed on her shoulder. Twisting in her seat, she saw that Satine had crouched down and was looking at her with sympathy. Ahsoka had only known Satine for a short time, but she really started to like her. Like her grandmaster, the woman in front of her was passionate and strong in her beliefs.
"I left them", the padawan whispered, "I- I just left them to die."
Satine gave a small, sad smile. "No, you didn't, Ahsoka. I've known Obi-Wan for a long time now and if there is one thing I learned… ", she shook her head and huffed," ...that this stubborn gundark doesn't die easy. And if your master is even half as persistent as him, I believe they will somehow pull through."
Ahsoka pressed her lips into a thin line. "They're such idiots", she mumbled.
"That's an understatement, 'Soka", Padme said exhausted, joining their conversation. The brunette leaned slightly over the pilots' chair, her eyes mirroring the same worry like in Satines' and Ahsokas'. "We need help, we can't get them out on our own."
The Tortuga turned her attention back to the controls and the navi computer where she had set their destination on. "It's best if the two of you proceed with the senate. I'm going to get backup from the jedi and the GAR."
"You just expect us to back off? No way, Ahsoka", Satine exclaimed shocked.
"If you don't, then their sacrifice might go to waste, Satine. They still can take Mandalore, if you step down now."
The Duchess was about to protest, but Padme stopped her with a calm voice. "She's right, Satine. I don't like leaving my husband behind either, but we will do more good if we settle things with the senate."
Satine closed her eyes and clenched her fists. Letting out a breath, she nodded. "Okay. I hope this is the right decision." She searched her companions' gazes, finding determination with Ahsoka and hope together with a hint of nervousness with Padme. The pacifist leader turned to her fellow senator. "You okay, Padme?"
The Naboo seemed lost in thought, her fingers twitching a little. It took her a moment to see that both Satine and Ahoska were looking at her. "What? No, I- I need to tell you something."
As Ahsoka stretched out with the Force, she could already tell what was bothering Padme. 'How come we haven't noticed before.' She refrained from telling her suspicion beforehand and let the senator speak.
"I'm pregnant", Padme blurted out. Satines' eyes widened but then softened immediately. "He doesn't know, doesn't he?", the blonde guessed.
"No." Came the short answer. They sat in silence for a while before Ahsoka spoke up again.
"We'll get both of them back. I promise." And if that would be the last thing she did, the padawan promised to herself. Anakin would be the childs' father. Obi-Wan would finally ask Satine. She would become a jedi knight. They would stand through this all, together. As a family.
The rest of the flight felt like an eternity for the trio. As they finally landed on the platform near Padmes' apartment in 500 Republica, it was already well past midnight. They would have to wait till morning for the senate, but for Ahsoka there was no time to lose. She had to get back to the jedi temple. Inform the council. Get help.
"Do you want us to come with you?", Satine asked as they exited the ship.
The padawan shook her head. "No, it will be easier for me to get inside the temple alone. I would have to get clearance for both of you first. I'll inform you if anything changes. Focus on the senate."
Having said that, she didn't wait for an answer. Ahsoka dashed forward, zipping through the night. Using her athletic skill, the Tortuga vaulted over the rooftops, sometimes jumping on local transports to get closer to the temple. After a while it started raining heavily, the streets started to fill with water. As the girl waded through the crowded and slippery streets of Coruscant, it felt like the Force itself was crying. The emptiness and silence started to get to the padawan. She was sure they weren't dead, her training bond with Anakin was still intact. Her bond with her grandmaster wasn't as strong but she would feel it if he died. The jedi master once descripted to her how it felt when a bond snapped under violent circumstances.
'It hurts, Ahsoka. Like something burns deep into your mind, leaving a mangled mess behind. It's blinding. The emotional backlash you feel…', he had shook his head in thought then, 'I don't know how to describe it, Little One. Something is ripped out of you and it will never return. The wound never really heals. It still hurts till today. I hope you never have to lose someone this way.' He had given her a knowing smile.
Ahsoka stopped in her tracks and looked up to the now dark-grey sky, letting the rain drops trail down her montreals. "Let's hope I won't lose one of you."
The temple finally came in sight. The padawan ascended the steps, pushing past the temple guards. She had to find someone on the council, fast. "Master Plo", she mouthed. Taking off in a sprint, she ran down the empty corridors, passing the few lost souls who were still roaming the temple in the middle of the night. She reached the masters' floor in no time. Passing her grandmasters' room, Ahsoka started to look for her destination. There. On the end of the hallway she finally found the apartment with the designated name plate. Master Plo Koon. "Please be at home", the padawan whispered to herself as she started knocking on the door vehemently. Out of all jedi masters, except for Master Obi-Wan, she trusted the Kel'Dor the most. He had brought her to the temple as a child and had always supported her.
A shuffling sound was to be heard on the other side of the door. The jedi master finally opened up after a few seconds. Even through the mask, she could tell that he was irritated to see her at this hour. "Little 'Soka? What are you doing here? I thought you were on leave." He was clearly only half awake.
"Master Plo, I need your help. We ran into Dooku. He caught both my master and grandmaster", Ahsoka blurted out, almost tumbling over her own words.
Tap. Tap. Click. The sound of heavy leather boots echoed through the large room. The Sith lord was approaching him. Still laying in a crumped heap on the floor, he didn't move an inch. He didn't have the strength to do so either way. The jedi was facing the floor, but out of his peripheral vision he could see the black boots coming to a halt somewhere in front of him. The Force was used to turn him on his back, flopping him back on the cold and hard ground. Gasping for a breath, his body screamed in agony as it was manhandled again. He closed his eyes, refusing to meet the Siths eyes he knew were boring into him.
"Come to kill your grandpadawan now, Dooku?", Obi-Wan rasped out with a wicked laugh. Kriff, it hurt to talk.
"This could all have been avoided, Obi-Wan. You should have joined me on Geonosis", the Count stated.
"And become the very thing I swore to destroy? You're disillusioned", a ragged cough wrecked his body, "I won't turn away from the Light."
He heard Dooku crouch down next to him. "Now I see what Qui-Gon saw in you. Such a strong mind."
"You have no right to talk about him", the jedi whispered.
"He was my padawan, I have as much right to talk about him as you do."
"No, you lost that when you left the jedi and joined the Dark Side. You left him."
"I did what I had to, Kenobi."
His eyes still closed, he turned his head towards the Count. "So what are you waiting for, Dooku? Finish what you started." Steel-grey, broken but determined eyes snapped open, piercing sick, ember ones.
"I won't kill you, Obi-Wan. You're a far to valuable information source. My orders are to separate you and your padawan for good", Dooku talked with a calm and menacing voice, "there are more ways to accomplish that without slaughtering you."
The jedis' eyes darkened. "Stay away from Anakin", he hissed, anger bubbling up.
"It's not me you should be worried about, Obi-Wan. I told you once about Darth Sidious on Geonosis. He's the one after Skywalker. You denied my help back then so don't make this harder on you than it already is."
Before he could react, Dookus cold hand landed on Obi-Wans' forehead and he felt how the Dark Side began to penetrate his shields. His hands flew up in a futile attempt to swat away the arm, but he couldn't move.
The Sith pressed on trying to break the jedi masters' shields. Obi-Wan fought with tooth and nail to keep him out of his head. Years of training and experience had made his shields almost unpassable. Almost. Every wall has cracks and weak spots. It was only a matter of time before Dooku found his. As the assault continued, Obi-Wans' head snapped back against the metal floor. He gritted his teeth before he couldn't hold it any longer. The inhuman cry that ripped free from his throat was enough to startle the Sith, giving him an opening to shove Dooku back. Out of his mind. Away from him. Away from his brother.
The motion sent the jedi tumbling on his stomach, the Sith was already getting back on his feet a few meters away.
"Stop fighting, Obi-Wan", Dooku growled. His merciless attack began again. The Darkness battling the dwindling Light.
"No!", the jedi screamed, voice cracking. Tears were glistening in his blood-shot eyes. He couldn't think. He couldn't breath. It felt like his skull was being cracked. 'I won't give in', he vowed to himself, as he tightened his shields and braced himself against the onslaught of darkness. He always had to fight for Anakin. From the beginning of their training, as the council denied him the wish to train the boy. When they said he wasn't strong enough to be the Chosen Ones master. When they said he couldn't control him. When they said he was neglecting his duty as a guardian when Anakin ran away in anger. When his friend turned away from on him. When love was replaced with distrust and hate. He had fought for his brother. And always will. Until the day he would take his last shuddering breath.