Summary:

Ahsoka and friends go to Dathomir in order to find Jinn.

Mother Talzin shares a vision with Ahsoka.

Ahsoka shares a vision with Jinn.

Ahsoka helps Jinn.

Jinn and Ventress make a deal.

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12.

It didn't take long for Obi-Wan and Anakin to mount a search party after Ahsoka explained the situation. They were able to easily locate Jinn's ship based on its signal. The ship was undamaged and well hidden. However, there was no sign of Jinn.

Anakin asked, "What do you know about Dathomir, Obi-Wan?"

The elder Jedi said, "It's a place inhabited by the Nightsisters, also known as the Witches of Dathomir. They are a clan and order of magick-wielding females. The planet is bathed in dark energies. These Dark side users are able to perform their arcane magicks by tapping into the magical ichor that flowed from the depths of their planet."

Anakin narrowed his brow and said, "And why did Jinn agreed to meet this woman here?"

Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head and said, "I have my suspicious on the woman's identity."

Fives asked, "Who is she, General?"

Obi-Wan awkwardly replied, "I believe Jinn came here to meet Ventress."

Anakin frowned and said, "Ventress? How does Jinn even know her?"

Obi-Wan rubbed his brow and said, "He met her on Coruscant by chance. He seemed fond of her."

Ashoka curiously asked, "What makes you think Jinn was fond of Ventress?"

Obi-Wan groaned and said, "He described her as an extraordinary woman. He claims they were sparring but, I found him kneeling in front of her as an apology for acting rude. To be honest, Jinn is a terrible flirt. I fear he has a weakness for women. I don't think it would take much for her to lure him here."

Rex couldn't believe what he was hearing and said, "Are you telling me Jinn dropped everything and went to go see Ventress just because she called him?"

Fives said, "He can't be that stupid. Can he? Are you sure he isn't really a Separatists spy?"

Ahsoka smiled and said, "I'm sorry, Fives but I think he really is that stupid."

Fives shook his head. He was sure Jinn was a Separatists spy. Honestly, he was a little disappointed that Jinn turned out to be-well, fallible. He thought all Jedi had discipline. To learn that he could be taken in by a woman was unsettling. Though, he was curious about a detail in Kenobi's story.

"Say, General. You mentioned that you found Jinn on his knees apologizing to Ventress for being rude. Did he ever tell you what he did?"

Obi-Wan said, "No, he didn't."

Anakin pointed to something in the fog and said, "Look, there's the temple of the Nightsisters. Maybe they know something about our missing friend."

The group approached the temple steps and saw a figure waiting for them at the mouth of the entrance. It was Mother Talzin. She sneered when she saw Obi-Wan ascend the stairs to greet her.

"Please excuse the intrusion. We were wondering if you could help us locate our missing friend."

The magick-wielding glared at him and said, "For a moment I thought you were that man with amber eyes. I thought perhaps he had come back to finish me off."

Anakin said, "You must mean our friend, Master Jinn."

Mother Talzin frowned and said, "That man is no Jedi. He is something else. Something dangerous. Something hungry."

Ahsoka narrowed her brow and asked, "What did you see?"

Mother Talzin turned away from them and said, "A demon."

Rex couldn't make sense of anything the Force-user said. Over the years, he learned a thing or two about Jedi. Usually when they started talking in riddles, it meant they encountered something they couldn't understand. That wasn't unusual. The galaxy was a big place. The older Rex got, the more he realized how little he did know.

Though, Rex was sure that Jinn wasn't a demon. Rex knew what real demons were. If anything, the wayward Jedi must have done something impressive to scare the witch. He only wished he had been around to see it. However, Rex was done with their small talk.

"Do you know where he went?"

Mother Talzin pointed into the swamp with an outstretched hand and said, "There."

Rex signaled for his men to go check it out. It wasn't long before one of the troopers came back with something in his hand.

"Captain, I found something."

"Bring it here."

The clone dropped it into Rex's hand. It was a comm, but it wasn't GAR regulation. He approached the Generals as he examined it.

Anakin said, "Rex, what did they find?"

"It's a comm, sir."

Rex switched it on and saw that it had a pre-ordered message. A holo-image flicked and Ventress' figure appeared. She was dressed in a long-hooded cloak, but there was no mistaking her voice.

"You're a hard man to find, Master Jinn. I have a proposition for you. If you're interested, then meet me at Dathomir at the following location alone."

Fives said, "That's the voice on the transmission I overheard in Master Jinn's quarters."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard and said, "Then, that confirms it was Ventress that summoned Master Jinn to Dathomir. There's no doubt in my mind that she lured him here as a trap. Probably to present him to Dooku as a prize."

Anakin said, "Yeah, but that was hours ago. There's no telling where Dooku took him now."

Ahsoka said, "Not necessarily. I might be able to locate him by using the Force."

Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest and said, "That's quite impressive, Ahsoka. However, that particular technique works best when there's a bond between two individuals. For example, a bond between a master and an apprentice."

She frowned and said, "I know that, but Jinn is our friend. We owe it to him and try and save him."

Fives nervously looked around and said, "Uh, so you need a bond, right?"

Ahsoka turned to Fives and said, "Yes, someone or something close to Jinn so that we can find his location. Why? Do you have an idea?"

Fives said, "It might not be a good idea."

Rex encouraged him and said, "Go on. Let's hear it."

The clone anxiously rubbed the back of his head under his helmet and said, "It just sounded like that witch got awfully close to Master Jinn. Maybe she'd be able to locate him."

XXX

"No," stated Master Talzin. "Absolutely, not. I told you, that man is a demon."

Anakin scuffed and said, "Well, he certainly left an impression on you."

Obi-Wan scolded, "Anakin, that isn't helping."

Ahsoka frowned at how fast Mother Talzin refused to help them. The Nightsisters were strong magick-wielding females. They didn't scare easily. The fact that Jinn somehow did was weird. Instead, it would be more likely for the Nightsisters to scare him.

"Why do you think Master Jinn is a demon?"

Mother Talzin said, "I do not think it. I know he is."

"How?"

"He showed me."

"Then, show it to me."

Mother Talzin frowned. She didn't like being ordered around by a youngling. However, she wanted to get rid of the Jedi and decided sending them to Dooku would be ideal. With a wicked smile, she closed the distance between her and the Torguta girl. She closed her eyes and raised her hands for her to take. Ahsoka complied and mirrored her actions.

Anakin said, "Snips, you better know what you're doing."

With her eyes closed, she smiled and said, "Relax, Skyguy. I got this."

Suddenly, Ahsoka found herself facing Jinn. She was standing outside of the temple while the Nightsisters had him surrounded. Ahsoka realized that this was in Mother Talzin's memories. Her vision was hazy, and their voices sounded distant.

"Tell me, Master Jinn. Why did you agree to meet with this woman?"

"It's only natural for a gentleman to come when a lady calls."

Ahsoka then approached Jinn and stared into his amber eyes. She felt Mother Talzin try to read him, but then Jinn smiled. Darkness swallowed her up. Then, a light came rushing towards her. It was so bright that it was blinding. It engulfed her in a circle of flame. The flame was hungry and throbbing. It made her so hungry that it ached. She had never felt so hungry before in her life. It made her want to tear apart everything with her bare hands. Nothing else mattered. Only prey.

Then, a pair of golden eyes stared right into her soul. Ahsoka screamed and broke away from Mother Talzin's hands. The witch laughed as Ahsoka grabbed her head as she fell to the floor. Rex rushed to her side as Anakin used the Force to shove the witch back.

The Jedi Knight growled, "What did you do to her?"

"I did only what she asked. I showed her the demon."

Anakin turned to his Captain and asked, "Rex, is Ahsoka OK?"

The Togruta teen answered, "Yes, I'm fine."

However, the memories were still flooding Ahsoka's mind. She saw that Jinn had grabbed the witch's throat. She saw him absorb a Force-bolt with his bare hand. She watched him Force-push the Nightsisters and manipulate the Force around his sword like no Jedi she had ever seen.

Then, Ventress appeared and Jinn changed. He stopped being a demon and suddenly became a hopeful suitor. He was like a different man. It was strange. Ahsoka was infused with both Mother Talzin and Jinn's feelings. She shook her head and tried to focus only on Jinn. Mother Talzin had provided Ahsoka what she needed to create a bridge.

She looked deeper. She let the Force guide her. She silently turned away from the others and stood alone outside the temple. She closed her eyes and followed her feet. Without thinking, she went deeper into the swamp till she stood in the place where Jinn last spoke to Ventress.

She saw him offer Ventress his hand. Ahsoka stepped forward and took Jinn's hand instead.

Abruptly, the fire returned. She saw that it was created by the war between the Darkness and the Light. The two forces danced around each other tightly and formed a ring. Ahsoka realized that the ring represented balance. It was neither Darkness nor Light. It drew strength from both like a dynamo. It was strange. Ahsoka had never considered using the Force in that way.

However, Ahsoka couldn't get sidetracked. She had to locate Jinn. If she could find his consciousness, then she could create a bond so she could find him.

"Jinn, where are you?"

The vision shifted. She was no longer in the swamp. Instead, she found herself in front of Jinn. He was suspended in an energy field. His robe and weapons were gone. His face had a nasty black eye. His body was limp, and his eyes were closed. Ahsoka was afraid he was dead.

"Jinn! Are you alright?"

She rushed to reach him, but her hand passed right through him. She forgot that this was a vision. However, when she got closer, she saw that Jinn was fast asleep. Ahsoka sighed in relief. It was just like Jinn to fall asleep during a kidnapping.

"Jinn, wake up!"

The amber Jedi cracked open his eyes. Ahsoka smiled back.

"I knew I'd see you again, nightingale."

Ahsoka frowned. Jinn had never called her that before. No mattered what Obi-Wan said, Jinn had never flirted with her. He had always been very respectful. He never called her anything else, but Miss Tano. Then, the door closed, and she saw Ventress standing at the entrance. Her body was hidden in shadow. The only light came from the floor of the gravity field and the table. She closed the distance between them and stood in front of him.

"Looks like I ruined your pretty face, Jedi."

"Such concern. I'm touched."

"I saw what you did, but your little friends won't be able to find you. By the time they find that comm we will be long gone."

"You're welcome."

She frowned and said, "Funny, I don't remember thanking you."

"Don't pretend Dooku wasn't watching us on Dathomir. I'm sure that if I hadn't asked you to hit me, he would have questioned your loyalty."

"Are you telling me you weren't trying to leave your Jedi friends breadcrumbs to find you?"

"I can kill two birds with one stone."

Ventress picked up his sword from the table. She drew the blade from the sheath and examined it. She then held the edge to his neck. She watched him as she laid the blade across his shoulder and stepped closer. The edge cut into his skin and blood dripped down his grey collar.

"The only one who's going to be killed is you once we reach Geonosis. I think I'll keep your sword and lightsaber. They'll make nice souvenirs."

"Genonsis," whispered Ahsoka.

She tried closing her eyes and breaking free from the vision but saw that nothing had changed. Next, she tried pinching her arm. Nothing. She was still stuck in the vision. She had to do something. She had to tell the others where to find Jinn so they could go rescue him.

Though, maybe the vision served another purpose. Ahsoka decided to try something. She walked over to the controls next to the energy field and tried switching it off with the Force. With ease, the gravity field turned off. Jinn dropped down to his feet and the light beneath him was gone.

Ventress was shocked. She raised the sword and tried to strike him down, but the Jinn caught her wrist. He then raised his other hand and summoned his lightsaber into his palm.

He said, "Well, that was unexpected."

Ventress glared at him and hissed, "How did you do it?"

Jinn smiled and said, "I have no idea. I want to tell you that it's been a pleasure, but that would be a lie."

Jinn then released her wrist and shoved her back. He turned away from her and headed to the door. Ventress paused for a moment, before she went after him. Ahsoka tried to stop her, but the vision started to fade.

XXX

"Wait."

"What do you want, Ventress?"

She flinched at the way he said her name. She realized she had gotten used to him calling her nightingale. Though, she should have known better than to think it would last. She knew that whatever he saw in her before was gone. He finally saw her for what she really was. She was an assassin. She didn't care about anyone. Power was the only thing she needed.

"Is the offer to take down Dooku together still on the table?"

"Not unless you want to be my partner."

"That wasn't the deal."

"So was selling me out to Dooku."

"Then, why do you even want me as your partner?"

"I already told you!"

"You're a fool!"

"That's not an answer."

"Hey!" shouted a droid. "You're not supposed to be out of your cell."

Jinn extended two fingers off his grip on his lightsaber and used the Force to send the droid crashing into the wall. The hall was soon overrun with droids. They fired their blasters at them. Jinn and Ventress deflected the shots and sent them back. Jinn then used the Force to rip a piece of metal off the wall and used it to clear a path.

Then, Dooku appeared in the hall. He flicked his wrist and sent the sheet of metal off to the side. He glared at the two Force-users and the carnage they had created.

"What is the meaning of this, Ventress?"

Jinn turned to her and asked, "Do we have a deal?"

She looked into his eyes and saw that he was serious. She had lured him out to his death and he still wanted her to join him. He was the biggest fool she had ever met.

"Ventress."

She turned to Dooku. His face was scowling. He was annoyed at the implications of Jinn's words. Though, looking at the Sith helped her to make up her mind. The Count was strong, but Ventress had a feeling that Jinn would be a challenge. There was Darkness inside him. It made him strong. Yet, most of all, he had feelings for her. Feelings she could manipulate.

"It's a deal, Jedi."

He smiled and said, "Ladies first, nightingale."

Ventress leapt forward and slashed with her lightsaber. Dooku easily parried her attack, but a second later Jinn joined in. He did a double swing with his sword and saber. Dooku narrowed his brow as he fended off Jinn's blows. He was surprised to see that Jinn's sword hadn't melted against his red lightsaber. Sparks flew as the steel met the laser.

Dooku Force-shoved Jinn back, but Jinn used his black sword to anchor him down. The blade cut the floor like butter. It was clear that it was no ordinary weapon. However, Dooku had no time to recover. Ventress attacked with graceful thrusts and parries.

Dooku glared and shot a bolt of Force-lightning at her. Jinn shoved Ventress out of the way with the Force. She recovered and landed on her feet. Jinn then raised his hand and surprised Dooku with a bolt of Force-lightning of his own. Dooku fell to his knees in pain. He could not believe that Jinn could master a technique of a Sith.

"How could this be? You're not a Sith. Who are you?"

Jinn ignored Dooku's question and shot a second bolt of Force-lightning. Dooku threw his head back in agony and his lightsaber dropped to the ground. Ventress picked it up and toyed with it in her hand.

The amber Jedi stood behind her and said, "Is his defeat to your satisfaction, nightingale?"

She looked at him puzzled and said, "What do you mean? He's still alive."

Jinn said, "I have other plans for him."

He then ripped a piece of the metal out from the wall with the Force and used it to wrap around the Count. Ventress took a step back with a smile. She watched as Jinn surround the Count in a cage of metal. The only parts of him exposed were his head and feet.

"I've underestimated you, Master Jinn. You're clearly no ordinary Jedi. Someone has taught you the ways of the Sith. However, you made a fatal mistake by not killing me. I will not be so lenient."

Jinn said, "Sticks and stone, Count."

The amber Jedi then deactivated his lightsaber and sheath his sword. Jinn then rubbed his brow and started to sway. Ventress grabbed his arm to give him support with a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing serious. I'm just tired. I should have taken Miss Tano's advice and gotten more sleep."

Suddenly, the ship rumbled, and an alarm sounded. A droid voice was heard over the ship's comm.

"A Republic ship just appeared out of hyperspace. We are under attack."

The ship started to shake again. Jinn grabbed onto to Ventress' shoulder for support. They soon heard blaster fire coming from within the ship halls.

XXX

TBC

XXX

Note:

Information on Dathomir was taken from the following website: wiki/Nightsisters.

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