Chapter 1 – Master and Apprentice
Plot: Count Dooku takes three-year-old Ahsoka as his apprentice, raising her in the ways of the Sith. It changes everything. Without Ahsoka to ground him, Anakin is left increasingly unstable, growing more distant from the other Jedi as the war drags on. And Ahsoka becomes a dark, dangerous Sith apprentice under Dooku's guidance. Not a fix-it; dark-fic; eventual happy ending
Author's Note: First of all, I want to say that this is a gift request for hiep16 on ao3. This is essentially a darker version of Meet You at the Dark Side if you know which fic of ours that is. Lol. This was supposed to be a one-shot at first, but then it turned into a two-shot, and we realized that we needed more... background information on the characters' interactions to properly write ROTS. And here we are! It's a total of nine parts now, and we'll be releasing it every other week. :)
To hiep16: I know we got this request like four months ago, so sorry for how long it took us to write and post it, but here it is! I hope you enjoy it! :D
~ Amina Gila
Something about the man feels... familiar. He's instantly drawn the ever-curious three-year-old Ahsoka's attention. He's different than anyone she's ever seen. He's human, one of the older children told her. And, there's something inexplicably bright about him that has her captivated.
"Her powers could be dangerous," Ahsoka hears him saying, but she's too captivated by this strange, slightly cold and dark, yet not at all threatening, presence to listen. "But I can teach her to control herself."
Ahsoka doesn't entirely understand what's happening. but she waits as she was told to. "The Jedi will come for her soon, unless she comes with me," she hears him saying. Jedi? She's heard that word before, something about these bad people who will forcibly take her away from her home. "She will be safe with me."
The adults continue speaking, and she slowly loses interest, attention returning to her surroundings. At least until the older human man approaches her, followed by the other adult Togruta she's been staying with along with a number of other children.
"This is Count Dooku," the Togruta tells her, "He will take you to your new home."
"Hi!" she squeals, staring up at him. She knew she'd leave this place eventually, but she didn't expect it to be this soon. Or by a human. Especially not one who feels so... she's not even sure what, exactly.
"Come," the man requests, picking her up. She shifts in his arms, resting her head against his shoulder. She doesn't know where he's taking her, but a part of her trusts him instinctively. Wherever she's going, it's to a better place than the one she is in now.
**w**
Twelve-year-old Ahsoka spins her red lightsaber downwards, blocking the electrostaff of the MagnaGuard in front of her. She dodges the next slash of the one behind her before exchanging another blow with the one in front of her. The second one swings at her again, and she spins to meet its blade, quickly pulling back and swinging for it again.
She's long since learned to use her size and agility to her advantage, since she doesn't have the strength of the droids. Or any opponents that she may end up fighting on the battlefield in the future. But either way, she also has the Force – the Dark Side – and that's good enough.
Ahsoka flips out of the way, jumping through the air when the two come at her again, landing on top of one of them. She drives her lightsaber down through the top of the droid, pulling it out and hopping aside it falls, sparking, to the floor. She whirls around to attack the one remaining MagnaGuard, and the droid quickly moves to block her.
They trade a few more blows as she backs off a few steps, waiting for an opening. Droids may not have the intelligence of sapient beings, but in a way, that can almost make them better. They don't make mistakes unless there's something wrong with their programming. Finally, she feigns a move to the left, and when the droid swings its electrostaff down to block her lightsaber, she instantly darts to the right, slashing her blade deep into its side. The droid tries to hit her with its staff, but she finishes cutting the rest of the way through it, stepping back, and letting the pieces fall to the floor.
All the droids are down, and she'd like to think it's even faster than normal.
"You did well," Dooku praises, from his position at the front of the room where he was watching her training. Technically, he's her adopted father and legal guardian, though she's always addressed him as her Sith master. Even so, he is the only father she's ever known, and it won't stop her from calling him as such.
"Thank you, Master," Ahsoka replies. She doesn't usually get praise from him. To make her work harder and try to do better, she supposes. All she's ever wanted is to be the best Sith she can, and to make him proud of her.
"Perhaps you are ready for the next stage in your training." Next stage? What does that mean? She waits silently for him to continue. "You must speak of this to no one," he warns.
"I understand, Master," she responds immediately. She can tell as much from the serious note in his voice. It isn't as though she has anyone to tell, other than some of Dooku's acolytes she often works with. Ahsoka knows she can't trust them. 'Trust' is not frequently gifted out among the Sith.
"I intend to destroy Darth Sidious, but to do so, I will need an apprentice of my own," he replies. Oh. Oh. Of course. Her eyes widen slightly at the implications of what he said slowly sink in. He's planning to go up against the Sith Master? Of course, she knew that most Sith apprentices will kill their master eventually, but... the fact that he's telling her can only mean one thing.
He finally sees her as worthy of actually being a true Sith, not just one of his other acolytes like Asajj Ventress. "Sidious cannot hear a word of this," Dooku continues, "We must ensure he does not know of our plans. If you speak to him, be sure not to allow these thoughts to enter your mind, lest he sense them."
"Yes, Master," she nods. She can only imagine how powerful Sidious is, though she's never met him before. She lets the prickle of fear at the thought of going up against him like this run through her, turning into a fierce determination. Whatever happens, they're going to defeat him. She won't let Dooku down.
**w**
It's been a year since Ahsoka officially became Dooku's apprentice. Ever since then, he's constantly increasing the level of training she gets, and she's learned far more about the Force.
Of course, there's also the fact that a war is coming. Dooku has told her repeatedly that sooner or later, the conflict between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems will descend into an all-out war. Of course, that's partly a result of Sidious' manipulations.
The war, which she knows will cause untold and unimaginable destruction throughout the galaxy. The war is necessary, but that doesn't mean she looks forwards to it, or even wants to. It will be hard to know she's causing so much damage. Even so, as a Sith, she's perfectly prepared to do what's necessary, as long as she and Dooku are able to restore peace throughout the galaxy. It will be hard for the public to understand, but they will learn to be grateful in time.
It will be different from normal, and she's going to be in the action and on the fronts. Ahsoka has never really done anything involving on-the-field work, but she knows she'll have to learn. But now, she's finally starting to learn how to use two lightsabers. She's finding it a little bit harder than she initially anticipated, but she's learning.
"Remember to use both your lightsabers," he reminds again. It feels like the hundredth time, but it's probably only been a few. She keeps forgetting to use her blades properly in unison, which is to be expected. It's a basic thing, but there's no time to think during fights. She needs to work it into her subconscious, most basic actions.
She goes for it again, trying to alternate between her right and left blades. Red clashes on red, and Dooku parries them with ease, though it's not as if this is a fight she's trying to win. It's simply practice. Ahsoka backflips away from him after a few more tries, shifting her hold on her left hilt. It feels... strange in her hands.
He moves towards her again, and she hastily swings her blades up to block his, crossing her own as the three meet. They trade blows a few more times before her master stops again. "Remember to fight naturally, like yourself," he instructs, "Don't try to change your form."
Ahsoka gives him a nod. She thinks she gets what he's saying. She needs to remember to use her second lightsaber, needs to remember that it's there. She doesn't have to change herself to do so.
She attacks him again, this time trying to remember to let her other lightsaber move in sync with her first one. It will take more time to actually get used to it, but when she lets herself fight like herself, it's easier. Their blades continue clashing in a dance of red as she works on getting a feel for it, before Dooku finally disarms her.
"Practice this more with Ventress," he instructs. "She has two lightsabers as well and will be able to help you master Jar'Kai."
**w**
Ahsoka stands near Dooku on the balcony overlooking the Geonosian arena below. It's far too hot here to be wearing a dark hood over her head, but she doesn't really need to announce her identity and presence to everyone around.
Her gaze drifts across the excited Geonosians, before finally landing on the three figures chained to the poles below. Senator Padme Amidala, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his padawan, Anakin Skywalker. All of whom apparently thought it was a brilliant idea to snoop around on a Separatist planet, despite the high tensions running with the Republic.
Well, she supposes they kind of asked for it, though she doesn't understand the execution method. Why not shoot them or stick a lightsaber through their chest and be done with it? Whatever makes the Geonosians happy, she supposes. Personally, it doesn't really matter to her.
At a sudden movement, Ahsoka's eyes immediately jump back to the Senator. Somehow, she's managed to free herself from the handcuffs and is using the chain to pull herself up the pole. Clever. But her position isn't going to protect her for long.
She's slightly distracted from the scene of the three animals being chased out into the arena as she suddenly senses a disturbingly bright presence approaching. No, there's more than one of them. Jedi? Other than the ones in the arena? Did they seriously bring reinforcements with them that no one managed to locate yet?
She throws a sideways glance at Dooku. If she senses it, he definitely would too. But he doesn't seem the least bit concerned. Her hands inch closer to her lightsabers, but she doesn't say anything. Whatever happens, she'll be ready for it.
The Jedi and Senator are riding the reek in the center of the arena, now surrounded by destroyer droids when the sudden sound of a lightsaber activating splits the air. Ahsoka whirls around, hands reaching closing around her own hilts at the sight of the figure behind them.
Mace Windu stands next to Jango Fett, holding a purple lightsaber to his neck. "This party's over," he snaps darkly. Ahsoka's hands snap to her lightsabers, but Dooku motions for her to stop.
"Brave, but foolish. You're impossibly outnumbered."
"I don't think so."
"We'll see."
Windu spins around at the clanking sound of super battle droids approaching sounds from the tunnel behind him. They open fire as soon as they come in range, and he swings his purple blade to block the blasts. Jango shoots a flamethrower at him, and Windu jumps off the balcony to avoid it, but the corner of his cloak catches fire anyway. He throws it to the ground as he lands, spinning to face the droids that immediately start pouring out of the entrances into the arena.
Seriously, Ahsoka cannot believe the Jedi's stupidity sometimes. Don't they realize that what they're doing here is going to start a war? Not to mention sending in so many people with the hopes of saving three. Or at least presumably that's why they came. Unless they were trying to start a war.
She can definitely see now one of the reasons why Dooku left the Order. It's being laid out right in front of her. He said the Jedi are beyond arrogant and think that nothing can defeat them, and he's right. Well, they'll be in for a few, nasty surprises.
The battle carries on for a long time, and even as thousands of droids are destroyed, more and more Jedi are falling. She's honestly surprised to see that the Senator is still alive, though, when a group of about twenty or so remaining people begin moving into a circle at the center of the arena, surrounded by endless droids on every side. Of course, Windu and Kenobi are among the others still alive. That, she's not shocked about.
Dooku finally raises a hand, signaling the droids to stop shooting. It's not as if the survivors even stand a chance anyway. "Master Windu!" he calls, "You have fought gallantly, worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished. Surrender, and your lives with be spared."
"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku," Windu snaps back.
"Then I'm sorry, old friend," replies Dooku, signaling to the droids again.
They're all shifting back into fighting position when gunships suddenly fly into view.
The gunships open fire on the droids, blasting them into oblivion, meeting little resistance. White armored figures begin jumping off the ships, shooting at the droids as well. What?! Where did the Republic pull an army like this from? Because she's about one hundred percent certain that they aren't Jedi dressed up as soldiers.
"Come, we must leave," Dooku tells her, leading her off the balcony. "Leave the planet and return to Serenno immediately. The battle here will drag on, and it is not yet your time to be a part in it."
**w**
Ahsoka can hardly believe she's finally going to be sent on her real first mission. It's been several months since the war started, and she's been doing mostly stealth missions the entire time, but this is different. Dooku just decided that she'll be put in charge of an actual Separatist fleet in a nearby system.
She doesn't enjoy the constant destruction and death around her all the time, but she understands, from what Dooku's told her, that it's necessary. The only way to fix the galaxy is to start over. Besides, it was the Republic who started the war in the first place, so the only option now is for the Separatists to win it.
Sometimes, things like this have to be done, regardless of one's personal preference for the matter. She may not like what she has to do, but she understands the necessity.
"I know you are ready for this position, Ahsoka, but you must also be ready to face the Jedi you will encounter," Dooku warns.
"I am ready, Master," she promises.
He pins her with that look that always means he's about to say something he seriously means. "Don't try to take on an opponent you can't handle," he warns, "And you must be especially sure to avoid the Jedi Kenobi and Skywalker."
"Yes, Master," she nods dutifully. If he's warning about her about those two in particular, she knows better than to question it. She'll do as he says. But clearly, she has a long way to go before they'll be able to go after Sidious seeing as she can only handle a very limited level of the Jedi at this point. She is only fourteen, after all. It will take years for her to reach her full potential, but they can't wait until then.
"Sidious has an interest in Skywalker," Dooku continues, "I suspect he intends to have him eventually replace me. When the time is right, we must destroy Skywalker as well, but you are not yet ready."
Wonderful. If Sidious is already working on someone to take Dooku's place that means they need to move fast. It also means she should probably keep a very close eye on Skywalker while trying to stay as far from him as possible. "I understand," Ahsoka replies.
She does. Everything, the fate of the galaxy itself, is depending on her now, and she has to do it right.
She has nothing to fear; the Dark Side is with her.
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