The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 138
Meeting Old and New Friends
Ahsoka frowned as the speeder she rented shot through the dense jungle surrounding Coronet City. So much for getting the fastest speeder available. She should have thought ahead and asked for the nimblest speeder. Then again, if she asked for that, she probably would have been pointed in the direction of a speeder bike, and she had a feeling Gerome would not have been overly comfortable with her piloting one of those. Even now, as she weaved through the dense trees, up and over fallen trunks, and skirting along the soggy jungle floor, Gerome looked a bit pale. A sight that made Ahsoka's frown retreat, replaced by a wry smirk as she glanced over at the young man in the passenger seat.
"You alright over there?" She asked.
Gerome's hand tightened around the doorhandle as Ahsoka banked hard along an old riverbed, nearly colliding with a clump of large boulders. His throat bobbed, and his eyes were wide behind his dark mask.
"I-I'll be fine- Naga above!"
"Wha- Oh kriff!"
Ahsoka yanked on the controls, causing the speeder to soar into the air. It zipped over a massive tree stump, grazing the top of it. As it soared over, Ahsoka quickly shoved the controls forward, pitching the speeder into a sharp dive in order to avoid a tangled mess of thick, tree limbs just above the tree stump. Some Moss dangled from the tree limbs and smacked against Gerome's face as they shot downard, causing him to cry out in alarm, and making Ahsoka to laugh out loud.
"Awake now?" She asked, giggling as the speeder leveled out on the ground again.
Gerome reached up with a hand a brushed flecks of moss from his face. A long scowl rested on his lips.
"That was a rude wake up."
Ahsoka shrugged, "I've been woken up by worse."
"Like what?"
"You forgot to feed your lizard one morning, and I stumbled on her in the cargo hold of my ship." Ahsoka replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "She nearly decided to make me a snack."
"How many times do I have to tell you: Minerva is not a lizard!" Gerome growled back, arms folding over his armored chest.
Ahsoka grinned back, "Fine… we'll go with an overgrown gecko."
Before Gerome could grumble back, Ahsoka raised a hand, silencing him. They were nearing the crash sight. Ahsoka glanced at the foliage surrounding them, most of it hidden in the deep shadows of the jungle, nary a star able to penetrate the dense canopy. The only light that managed to seep down to the jungle floor filtered down through breaks in the canopy that were not natural. In fact, the ends of some branches smoked from fires that failed to fully catch due to how wet the wood and leaves were.
They were on the right track, and Ahsoka knew it. She could feel the Force suddenly feeling stiller than even the calmest of waters as the speeder drew closer to the crash site. Her brow furrowed as she sensed how clear the force suddenly felt. The Force had been so clouded, ever since the Clone Wars broke out. It was never calm, never focused, always in turmoil and since the Fall of the Republic, blacker than a starless sky. Only when she engaged in intense meditation did she ever find the calmer waters of the Force, past the intense rapids and swirling maelstroms caused by the Sith and their Empire. Rarely did the Force ever feel like a guiding light anymore, so when it did Ahsoka made sure to pay close attention.
The Force wanted her going this way. It wanted her to find whatever ship just crashed to Corellia's surface, but why?
We're about to find out.
Now there were small points of fire in the treetops. Fresher little blazes caused by a ship crashing hard into jungle canopy. Smoke swirled into the dark sky in tiny tendrils, barely visible to the naked eye. Finally, after jetting along the riverbed for a few more moments, they came upon the wreckage.
Ahsoka's eyes widened as she slowed down the speeder. The engines to the speeder groaned as the speeder ground to a halt, allowing her to hop out of the speeder just as it came to a stop. Her feet sank into the soft, black soil beneath her as she gazed at the wrecked ship, dumbstruck.
"A Consular Class?" She whispered as she carefully approached the crashed ship, donning her hood over her head so that she could somewhat hide her blue and white montrails.
No, it couldn't be a Consular Class. It looked way too crude to be one. The metal paneling, marred by the crash landing, looked like it was put together in an amateurish manner; barely held together by whatever welds and adhesives remained between the panels. She could tell the metal was not durasteel, because simple tree limbs would not have left scars in durasteel, even during a crash landing. Not unless the ship was moving extremely fast as it fell from the atmosphere. Something that she suspected at first. But after looking at the crash site further, Ahsoka came to the conclusion that the crash was not as high speed as she first thought. The ship hit the surface hard, but not hard enough to leave a significant crater in the soft jungle floor.
"Ahsoka?" Gerome spoke up, "What exactly am I looking at?"
Ahsoka shook her head, "I am not sure either."
"How could you not be sure? Isn't this your area of expertise?"
Ahsoka flicked her head over to Gerome, who had gotten out of the speeder and started walking up to her, his eyes glued to the ship in front of them, "I may know how to fly a ship, but I'm definitely not an expert on them."
Gerome arched one gray eyebrow, "So you don't know what-"
"It's a consular class ship. Or," Ahsoka pressed her lips together as she cautiously approached the wreckage, "a very rough imitation of one."
"Imitation?"
Ahsoka nodded, "Yeah. See the paneling." She pointed at the great plates of metal covering the ship like a black exoskeleton, "That is not durasteel."
Gerome furrowed his brow, "Durasteel?"
Ahsoka flicked her gaze back at him, then blinked as she recalled his possible strange origins, "Er- right, um-" She got up alongside of the ship and tapped her knuckles against the armored shell, "not this." She furrowed her brow further as she ran her hand along the still warm metal, "Does this even have heat shielding?"
If it doesn't, then how did it even survive re-entry? How did it even survive its initial liftoff?
None of those questions would be answered if she remained outside of the ship. Regardless of what the Ship was made of, or how it even survived the crash landing, she sensed a possible Jedi presence from it. And, it would not be long before authorities from Coronet City arrived to inspect the crash site themselves. She did not want to be around when that happened, because they would likely bring a squad of stormtroopers with them. The less interaction she had with the Empire, the better.
"Help me find the way inside." She told Gerome.
Gerome scoffed, "You think I'd know how to get into that… thing."
"You know how to ride an overgrown lizard, so I'm going to assume you're smart enough to find the loading ramp."
"I- you-" Gerome grit his teeth and started to grumble under his breath.
Ahsoka simply smirked to herself. For some reason, Gerome seemed to think that brooding and grumbling would get under her skin. If anything, that attitude of his egged her on even more. She always found having some fun at a grouchy person's expense to be mildly entertaining, even though the Jedi she grew up with would have frowned at such a thing. All of the Jedi frowned at such an attitude in fact, except for her old Master.
She grimaced at the thought of Anakin Skywalker, then quickly pushed him from her mind. He was long dead now, and she had already grieved for him. Right now, she needed to focus on figuring out who was inside of this ship. The dead could wait until she found a quiet moment, if another quiet moment ever came. Force, she'd really been busy lately.
After circling the ship, she finally found the outline of a ramp implanted into the ship's underbelly. Not the typical spot for a Consular class, but it was there. Which made Ahsoka even more curious as to the ship's origins and makers. The only way she would get answers to those burning questions would be by getting inside.
"Gerome, stay out here. Keep an eye out for the authorities." She said as she called on the Force to slowly lower the ramp.
Gerome marched towards her as the ramp groaned and lowered. He froze as he watched her work, a breath caught in his throat. Ahsoka noticed his dumbstruck look and grinned.
"Yeah, pretty cool right?"
"You really are like him." He grumbled, his shock replaced by displeasure that bordered on anger.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "I'm not sure if we're talking about the same person." The ramp touched the jungle floor, not even making a sound as it sank a few inches in the muddy soil, "But I can assure you that unless your parents tried to kill Master Kenobi, he would not have harmed them."
"Doesn't matter. That magic-"
"The Force." Ahsoka corrected as she stepped onto the metal ramp. It wobbled a little beneath her, but she hardly noticed as she easily shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Whatever." Gerome grunted, "It's evil. That is all I know."
Ahsoka shrugged, "Fine, believe your superstitions. Just remember a person who uses that magic saved your life."
"You mean got me involved in this idiotic mess."
Ahsoka laughed at that, "You would've gotten involved one way or another, Gerome. Now stay out here and keep watch. I don't want the Empire stumbling on us while I'm unawares."
She could hear him grumbling under his breath as she ascended the ramp, but she didn't care what Gerome had to say. Frankly, while his grouchy demeanor and generally standoffish behavior could be grating, Ahsoka had dealt with far worse in her short life. Patience is a tenet of a Jedi Knight, and while she was no longer a Jedi, she still tried to adhere to their values. So instead of getting offended by Gerome's attitude, which she probably would have done when she was younger, she laughed it off. After all, he could just be acting this way due to fear or anxiety. If her suspicions were correct (and she was fairly certain they were) he was from a planet with very low technological development. How he wound up on Kuat was still a mystery to her, but she would not pry until Gerome was more approachable.
Of course, that may only happen when Tatooine becomes an ocean world, but I can always hold on to hope.
She reached the top of the ramp. The inside of the ship consisted of a narrow, winding corridor. There were no lights inside, but she could make out some damage to the interior through the darkness. Several panels on the walls had been jostled from their places due to the impact of the crash. Wires and cords were splayed out along the wall, none of them sparking. An odd thing to see for Ahsoka. Normally crashes were fraught with electrical dangers. Was that the cause of the crash: power failure? Entirely possible, especially with how rickety this bucket of bolts appeared to be.
There could still be some nice salvage in here though. Ahsoka thought as she flicked her eyes around, relying on the Force to help her see in the darkness, Even the basic building pieces could be used by the rebellion and- She huffed to herself, realizing she was getting distracted again, Quit analyzing the ship, Ahsoka.
As she rounded the bend in the corridor, she noticed an open door, leading to what appeared to be a cockpit. Just as she was about to take a peek inside, she heard metal groan behind her. The Force shot a warning into her mind, and she jerked her head back just as a blue bar of light slashed into the cockpit doorway.
In a flash, her own lightsaber jumped into her hand. A white blade burst to life in her palm, quickly catching and deflecting a blue lightsaber strike aimed at her right arm. The two attacks had caught off her completely off guard, and she found herself backpedaling down the corridor towards the ramp.
She wanted to call out to the person to stop, but she could not afford to even open her mouth to try. The blue lightsaber was simply a blur of light in the darkness, moving too fast and too powerfully. She could not afford to distract herself with talking. Not when whoever was wielding the weapons clearly wanted to do her harm.
As if to make her duel even worse, she couldn't utilize her preferred style of combat. Ataru and Jar'kai did not do well in tight, enclosed spaces like this. With how ferociously her attacker was coming after her, she also knew she did not have time to draw her second blade. Not that it would do her much good, other than filling her vision with another blinding light in the darkness.
I need to get sp-AAACE!
A loud cry erupted from Ahsoka's lips as a powerful force push lifted her off of her feet and sent her flying out of the ship. She landed in a heap next to Gerome, the right side of her face sinking a few inches in the mud as her hood fluttered off of her head.
Gerome hardly reacted. He simply grunted, grabbed the ax on his hip, turned around, and dropped the ax right next to Ahsoka's head. Her eyes widened when she saw her reflection in the ax's blade mere centimeters from her nose.
"Gerome, do you mind?"
"It can't be." Gerome breathed, his hands balled up into tight fists at his sides, shaking with rage.
Ahsoka shot to her feet and regnited her lightsaber, ready to defend both herself and Gerome. She twirled around to face the ramp, saw her attacker, and froze. Her hands began to shake. With a quiet hiss, her lightsaber deactivated and fell softly into the mud.
Standing in the entry of the crashed ship, blue blade activated, was a human man. Short, tousled, brown hair crowned his head, and a neatly trimmed beard covered his jaw, lips, and chin. Sharp, blue eyes remained focused on Ahsoka as his hands gripped a lightsaber she was very familiar with. He did not wear the robes of a Jedi anymore; preferring a simple short sleeved brown shirt, black pants, and leather boots, but there was no mistaking the Jedi Master looking down at her. Even with the bloody gash over his right eye, Ahsoka knew exactly who he was. A snarl rested on his lips as he looked ready to attack again, only for her voice to cause him to hesitate.
"Master Kenobi?" She breathed, feeling tears misting in her eyes.
The tension in the Jedi Master's body ebbed away. His eyes slowly widened, losing their dangerous gleam.
"Ahsoka?"
Gerome's gaze whipped towards Ahsoka, "You weren't lying?"
Ahsoka swallowed hard, ignoring Gerome's question. She did not bother to pick up her lightsaber as she took a couple shaky steps towards the crashed ship. Master Kenobi remained wary, blue blade humming at his side as he gripped it with both hands
It was him. It was really Master Kenobi. But… how? Ahsoka knew Master Windu believed he was alive, and Gerome knowing Master Kenobi was proof that he survived Order 66, but there was still a part of her that could not believe this was true. Yet, there he stood; alive and mostly unharmed, save for injuries from the crash.
A trembling smile formed on Ahsoka's lips.
There is hope.
"You're really alive?" She croaked, struggling to hold back her emotions.
Master Kenobi looked at her, stunned, for a couple more seconds, before he lowered his weapon, sapphire blade hissing back into the hilt. He opened his mouth to speak, only for a woman with black hair, dark eyes, and a revealing outfit to emerge from behind him, a ball of lighting arcing in her grasp.
Kenobi's eyes widened in panic as he sensed the woman behind him.
"Tharja wait-"
The Thunder spell shot from Tharja's grasp, arcing towards Ahsoka's heart. Before it could pierce the Togruta, Gerome grabbed her by the arm and yanked her out of the way with one sharp tug. The spell hissed past Ahsoka, singing the skin on her right arm as it barely missed her. With a loud bam, it hit a tree behind her. The tree shuddered as electricity rushed down its trunk, then faded, replaced by smoke as the heat from the spell started to burn the tree from the inside out.
Obi Wan winced as the spell's impact echoed throughout the jungle. Then he sensed Tharja charging another one. With reflexes that always surprised the dark mage, his hand snapped out and caught her by the wrist.
"Don't." He said quickly, "She's a friend."
"A friend doesn't try to kill you." Tharja said, glowering down at Ahsoka.
A pained, yet happy, laugh came from Ahsoka's lips, "I think he was the one trying to kill me."
"In fact I was." Obi Wan breathed, "And I'm sorry for that Ahsoka I-" He blinked and glanced back at Tharja, "Oh, introductions. I um-"
Ahsoka shook her head, still chuckling, "Always sticking to your manners, Master Kenobi."
Tharja narrowed her eyes at Ahsoka, "How do you know this… thing?"
Ben winced, "She is not a thing, Tharja."
"It looks like a thing."
"I'm a Togruta, if she wants to know what I am." Ahsoka cut in.
"I was getting to that but-"
"Sneak attack!"
A blur of blue hair rushed towards the ship's exit, only for Ben to quickly reach out with the force in order to gently corral a pregnant young woman with pale skin and blue hair. An ordinary steel sword rested in her grip as she hung limply in the air, suspended by the Force.
"Cynthia," Ben inhaled, then exhaled. "No."
"But she was trying to hurt you, Uncle Ben!" Cynthia cried, her legs kicking uselessly in the air.
"Uncle Ben?" Ahsoka questioned out loud, her tears now being replaced by both amusement and confusion.
"Oh Naga, not you." Gerome grumbled, one hand rubbing his eyes through his mask.
A loud gasp rushed from Cynthia's lips, "Gerome?"
"Did someone say that no good, rotten, nihilistic, asshole's name!" A fourth head poked out of the ship. This time a young man with short, blonde hair and a scar running over his left eye. He wore robes of some sort, and had a strange staff in his grasp. A loud huff rushed from his lips as he locked eyes with Gerome, "Ah hell, it is you."
"I could say the same about you and Cynthia." Gerome sighed in return. He flicked his weary gaze to Cynthia as she remained strangely quiet, "I'm not even going to begin to ask what's going on with her."
"A lot." Brady replied, his face grim, "Trust me, ya grumpy dastard, a lot has… a lot has happened."
Ahsoka cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention,"I'm all for reunions, I'm having one right now as well, but the authorities will be here soon. So if this is all of you, pile into the speeder and we can-"
"This isn't all of us." Master Kenobi interrupted, making Ahsoka wince.
"Okay," Ahsoka took a breath, "How many?"
Ben grimaced, "More than a dozen. Several injured and one… one dead."
Ahsoka noticed the girl, Cynthia's, face fall at the mention of one dead person inside of the ship. She could sense intense sorrow lingering within the girl's mind as Ben gently lowered her down to the ground. Her feet touched down, and Brady quickly reached out to steady her.
"Easy now." He muttered as Cynthia sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Brady glanced up, gave Ahsoka a strange look, then cleared his throat, "So uh… we don't wanna mess with the authorities, so I hear?"
Ahsoka nodded, "That we do not. But my speeder does not have enough room for everyone. Especially with several injuries." She rubbed her chin, "Gerome, run to the speeder for me really fast and keep watch there."
"Why?"
"Because that is the most likely spot the Empire will appear from when they come to investigate the crash site."
"Empire?" Ben said, his body tense again. Ahsoka felt a shot of fear go through him, which was unlike the Jedi Master she knew growing up.
What exactly is going on right now? She eyed the people standing in the doorway with Ben as a few more made their presences known.
She saw a shorter man with red hair, wearing a black bandana. A short stick stuck out from between his lips. Next to the short man was a very hairy woman from a species unknown to Ahsoka. Her long ears twitched as her sharp eyes warily watched Ahsoka. She then noticed a woman with bright, scarlet hair sitting in a wheelchair further back in the corridor; her face as pale as a sheet as she looked at Ahsoka. Finally, another young woman with brown hair and a strip of cloth over her eyes stumbled through the corridor, accidentally bumping into Brady's back.
"Oh, s-sorry Brady."
"It's alright Noire."
She's blind. Ahsoka surmised, Definitely injuries then. She drew in a deep breath, I'm going to need some help.
"Gerome, get to the speeder already." She hissed to her masked companion, "While you keep watch, I'm going to call for some help."
"What help?" He grumbled back as he started to walk back around the crashed ship.
"I've got a contact, just go already." Ahsoka snapped, her patience now running a little thing. They all did not have time for Gerome to be a pill anymore. As he walked away, and as Obi Wan descended the ramp with Tharja in tow, Ahsoka reached for her belt and grabbed her comm link, flipping it to an emergency channel all Fulcrum agents were on, "Fulcrum to Corellia branch, come in."
"Corellia?" Obi Wan breathed, spinning around as he came to a stop by Ahsoka, "How in the blazes-"
"Hush." Ahsoka hissed at him, making the Jedi Master balk and Tharja snicker.
"I like her now." Tharja smirked.
"Fulcrum? This is Corellia branch." Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief as her comm crackled to life, "What is it?"
She brought the comm back to her lips, "I'm currently in the system, outside of Coronet City with rebel sympathizers who have crash landed. I'm sure you noticed it."
The commlink crackled again, "We did. Do you need assistance?"
"As quickly as you can." Ahsoka replied, "I'll do my best to keep the Empire from sticking around here. Sending you coordinates now."
She tapped a button on the side of her commlink, then clicked it off and replaced it on her belt. With the force, she called her lightsaber back to her hand and quickly hid it beneath her cloak.
"I suggest hiding your weapon, Master Kenobi. It'll be hard to get the Empire to leave us alone with that clearly visible."
Tharja snarled beside Ben, "I'd like to see the Empire try to harm us now."
"Oh, they will." Ashoka replied, "A Jedi is the ultimate prize for them, and a Jedi Master is an even grander prize."
"How do you plan on getting them from taking us all in, or killing us then?" The woman in the wheelchair asked as she was pushed down the ramp by a teenaged girl with vibrant red hair and a frown on her pale face.
"Cordelia-" Obi Wan breathed.
"No offense taken, Master." Ahsoka quickly interrupted as she raised a hand, "It's a valid question. Hopefully they send some incompetant officer and a few stormtroopers to take a look. If they do that, then we can simply mind trick our way out of this mess, right Master Kenobi?"
Obi Wan blinked, "R-right I-"
Ahsoka furrowed her brow as she watched Obi Wan struggle to process everything going on around him. His demeanor was very unlike her old friend and mentor. During the Clone Wars he was always calm and composed. The only times Ahsoka ever saw him rattled were when her Master managed to do something crazy, usually involving a starfighter. She laughed a little to herself at those pleasant memories, then she heard the familiar whine of speeders nearing the crash site.
"Shall we, Master?"
She sauntered around the ship. After a few paces, she heard Obi Wan following her, and smiled. If the Empire really did just send some stormtroopers, then getting out of this mess would be a cinch with Master Kenobi's help. Best case scenario: they're able to persuade the Imperials to leave and forget all about the crash sight, which would make Ahsoka's job as a Rebel agent much easier in the future. Worst Case scenario, other than all of them dying: they would have to fight they're way out, kill the stormtroopers, and hide the bodies.
Not like I haven't had to do that before. She thought with a shrug as she neared her speeder.
Once she got to the speeder, the authorities arrived, following the same path she and Gerome did. Gerome did not utter an alarmed cry, or panic, but instead continued to look grumpy and bored as he sat in the speeder's passenger seat.
If nothing else, he's good at acting casual.
The Empire sent two speeders to investigate the crash site. Each speeder carried four Stormtroopers, and a medic. In the lead speeder was an Imperial officer wearing the usual gray uniform that Ahsoka loved to despise.
The stormtroopers hopped out of the speeder as it came to a stop, following their officer as he strutted towards Ahsoka and Obi Wan with no shortage of pompousness exuding from him. In fact, Ahsoka could practically sense his superiority complex through the Force.
Good. Easy to manipulate then.
"You there." The officer, a human male (as they all were) with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scowl on his face called; one finger pointing directly at Ahsoka and Obi Wan. Obi Wan tensed beside Ashoka, but Ahsoka remained calm, an easy going on smile on her lips, "What happened here?"
Ahsoka blinked, "What happened? I'm not sure what you mean. I think it's pretty clear what happened here."
"Ahsoka…" Obi Wan hissed, growing more uneasy with each step the Officer and his soldiers took towards them.
Ahsoka sent a sharp, sidelong glance at him, signaling him to be quiet when it came to her name. A quick nod told Ahsoka that he received the message.
"Don't get snippy with me, Togruta." The Imperial Officer sniffed, folding his hands behind his back, "I can easily have you arrested for impeding an imperial investigation."
A small smirk crossed Ahsoka's lips. Now she could play with him.
"Investigation?" She looked around, "In an empty jungle clearing?" She finished, waving a hand in front of her body.
A glaze formed over the officer's gaze. She pulled at the threads of his mind, manipulating what he saw, in order to effectively get him and his soldiers to leave.
"Empty… jungle clearing… why are-" The officer shook his head, the glaze leaving his eyes.
Blasts!
"There is a crashed freighter behind you, Torgruta." The Officer frowned, even as he blinked the fog from his mind, "Now step aside or-"
"My good friend." Obi Wan stepped forward, the nervous tension Ahsoka felt completely gone as he put on a friendly smile. This time, he waved his hand in front of his face, and the glaze came over the officer's eyes again, "There is no crash here."
"There… is no… crash… here."
Ahsoka started to giggled to herself, even as the stormtroopers behind the officer stood back and shared befuddled looks between each other.
"You were sent out here for no reason." Obi Wan continued.
"We… were sent out here… for no reason."
"Turn around, go back to your superior, and kick his ass."
"We'll turn around, go back, and kick Commander Hood's ass."
With a wave of his hand, the officer signaled for the stormtroopers to mount up. The squadron of soldiers hesitated, but one harsh barking order from the officer sent them scrambling back into the speeders. Their transports whirred to life, and they raced away from the crash site, back towards Coronet City. Once Ahsoka was certain they were out of ear shot, she burst into laughter, her hands holding her sides as Obi Wan turned around and smiled back at her.
"Oh you still got it." Ahsoka chuckled, wiping a tear from her eye, "Although, you're much more crass about it than before."
Obi Wan shrugged, "A lot has changed, Ahsoka."
"I'm sure. And we can catch up in a bit." Ahsoka glanced back to see the occupants of the ship emerging from hiding behind it.
There were the few she saw standing in the doorway, as well as new figures stepping towards the speeder. She saw a short, pregnant girl with long ears, and light green hair. Very human looking, but not nearly enough to be considered a human. Yet another species she was unfamiliar with. A similar looking woman, but older in appearance by a couple years, lay unconscious on the back of a red haired woman wearing a mottled yellow and brown outfit. A sinister looking woman with black and white hair, dark eyes filled with suspicion, and wearing an outfit that didn't leave much to the imagination, stood near the back with Cynthia. Both of them were struggling to carry a heavily injured young man with blond hair, wearing black robes. Finally, at the very back of the group, stood a young human man wearing tattered formal attire. His blue hair was tousled and tangled on his head. In his arms was a young woman who-
Ahsoka closed her eyes, her smile fading from her lips as she recognized the all too familiar charred hole in her chest. The result of a blaster bolt to the heart. The woman was the one casualty from Obi Wan's group. Judging by the tear stains she saw on the man's face, and the heavy sorrow she sensed coursing through him, he was close with the woman.
"Wh-what?" She heard Gerome breathe, any grumpiness in his voice replaced by shock as he looked back at the group from his seat. He jumped out of the speeder and stared wide eyed at them all, then his gaze landed on the dead woman, "So… Naga really has abandoned us."
"Quit with that shit, Gerome." Brady snarled as he stomped up to Gerome. He reached for his hips and yanked a flask from his belt. He took a swig then held it out to Gerome, "We don't need to hear it now."
A grim expression crossed Gerome's face. This look differed from the many grim looks Ahsoka had seen. This one actually had some sadness behind it, not brooding indifference. Her eyes widened.
These are the people Master Windu told me about.
The dull roar of engines coming close drew Ahsoka's attention. She whipped her head to the broken canopy above her, and saw a small freighter descending down towards the group. A freighter that was of local, Corellian design. Something that seemed to ease Master Kenobi, but did little to calm the anxious feelings she sensed from the others in the group.
"No worries everyone. They're with me." Ahsoka said, giving Master Kenobi a nod, "Our help got here fast, just like I told them to."
The freighter landed nearby, crushing some trees beneath its heavy weight. The ramp to it lowered, and a Corellian man with short, swept back brown hair and a neatly trimmed goatee emerged. He wore the clothes of a shipyard worker, grease stains and all. Next to him stood a young boy with black hair and an excited smile on his lips.
The pair marched down the ramp as Ahsoka strode up to them. They paused at the bottom of the ramp, and the man extended a hand.
"Fulcrum?"
Ahsoka smiled back, "Yes." She gripped his hand, "And you are?"
"Jagged Antilles." The man replied, shaking her hand. He reached down with his other grease covered hand and gave the boy's head a sharp rub, "This is my son Wedge. We're here to help." He looked past Ahsoka at the strange group of travelers, then saw the dead woman and the wounded, "Wedge, go back inside and ready the medical droid."
"Yes Dad!"
The boy rushed back up the ramp, then Jagged waved a hand.
"Everyone aboard, and quickly. I doubt the Empire will leave this place alone."
"They won't for long." Ahsoka nodded. She glanced back at Obi Wan, "Come on. We'll be safer with them."
Obi Wan hesitated, looked back at his companions, then waved for them to follow him onto the freighter. He waited at the bottom of the ramp with Ahsoka and Tharja as they all marched up the ramp. The last to ascend was the blue haired man with the dead woman. He swallowed hard as he paused next to Obi Wan.
"Chrom." Ben breathed, putting a hand on his shoulder, "We need to go."
Chrom closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and marched up the ramp. A heavy breath left Obi Wan's lips, and he gave Ahsoka a weary look.
"No need to explain anything right now, Master Kenobi." Ahsoka said, stopping him from speaking, "Get aboard and rest. We can talk later."
Obi Wan nodded, took Tharja's hand (which made Ahsoka's brow arch), then marched up the ramp. Ahsoka and Gerome boarded last. As they got to the top of the ramp, she heard Gerome huff.
"What?" Ahsoka asked as the ramp sealed shut behind them.
The engines powered on, making Gerome jump. A small snicker from Ahsoka made him quickly replace his fear with his usual frown.
"You're worried about your friends?" Ahsoka asked as the engine roared to life.
The ship started to lift off, but they hardly noticed. Instead, the pair made their way towards the freighter's cockpit, where Ahsoka would get to know the Rebellion's Corellian contact face to face for the first time.
Gerome stopped walking, and Ahsoka paused as well, turning around to look at him.
"I forgot to feed Minerva." He grumbled, catching Ahsoka off guard.
"Oh.. uh, will that be a-"
"Let's hope no one goes onto your ship while we're gone."
A relaxed smile crossed Ahsoka's lips, and she gave Gerome's shoulder a light tap, "No worries. We won't be away from your lizard for long." A knowing look crossed her face as she sensed the anxiety in Gerome not fade at her reassurance, "It's okay to be worried about them, Gerome."
"I'm not-"
"You may hide your emotions behind that mask of yours, but you can't hide them from the force."
Gerome scowled, "Damned magic."
"Damn right." Ahsoka replied, "Now go be with them. I'll handle things with Jagged."
Gerome stiffened, uttered a heavy sigh, then made his way down the hall, away from the cockpit, towards the medical bay, where Ahsoka was sure Obi Wan herded his companions to. While they were getting situated, she would figure out where they were going next.
Usually, situations like this would worry her. But the Force remained still as she made her way to the cockpit, and she knew that this was the right way forward. The Force wanted her to find the crash, it wanted her to find Master Kenobi, it wanted her to find hope again. She would let him and his friends rest for a while. Then, when there was an opening, she would talk to her old mentor, her old friend, once again.
The Antilles home was a small place just on the outskirts of Coronet City. The family mainly made a living through the small fuel depot they ran, but occasionally, Jagged Antilles used their old Corellian Freighter to make supply runs. To Ahsoka, they seemed like good, honest, hard working people; the kind of people the rebellion was made up of, but that she never wanted to see get mixed up in the dangerous work she was involved in.
Still, she was eternally grateful to the Antilles Family. Jagged opened his home to her, Master Kenobi, and her strange new companions from the downed consular ship. Upon their arrival at the Antilles residence, Jagged's lovely wife Zena greeted and helped the newcomers any way she could. She was clearly a working woman, with rough hands, grease stained complexion, and short black hair, but she was no less kind to the new occupants in their home. She directed the weary travelers in Master Kenobi's company to a bunkhouse they owned alongside the fuel depot, then assisted Chrom in making some arrangements for the dead woman, Sumia.
His wife. Ahsoka reminded herself as her fingers tapped the half empty glass of blue milk in front of her.
She picked up bits and pieces of the story surrounding Kenobi's companions throughout the evening. Faint murmurs between the dozen or so friends that they thought she couldn't hear. She now knew that they had fled an Imperial surprise attack on their home, that the Empire decimated it, and that an Admiral she had never heard of, named Thrawn, was involved. She also managed to pick up on certain close ties between the group, although a few relationships did puzzle her. Like that girl, Cynthia, and her seemingly close bonds with Chrom. She sensed that they had a strong, familial bond, so perhaps she was a sister or cousin of some kind?
Before Ahsoka could drift off into more speculation, Zena Antilles stopped by, placed a second glass of blue milk down on the table, and refilled Ahsoka's glass.
"Oh, thank you." Ahsoka said, her voice quiet so the other occupants in the Antilles residence wouldn't wake up.
The bunkhouse in the fuel depot was small, so some of Kenobi's friends had to stay on makeshift mats and beds in the main residence. Across from the small dining area, Ahsoka saw the red haired thief, Gaius, snoozing quietly with his head resting on the furry woman's stomach. The red haired woman with the motley outfit, Anna, was dozing on a chair, as comfortable as could be. Meanwhile, on the sofa near the only window on the main floor lay two more bodies; Brady and Noire, resting on opposite sides of the sofa. The others were in the bunkhouse, especially those with significant injuries like that one young man, Luke.
Only one of the group remained awake, having not succumbed to exhaustion as he worked with Jagged to get the others settled. Ahsoka watched quietly as Obi Wan Kenobi finally managed to shoo Cordelia and Severa out of the main house and to the bunk house so they could get some sleep. Those two fretted the most about everyone else (Severa doing so in a manner similar to Gerome's typical attitude, but somehow more endearing in Ahsoka's eyes), but they eventually relented to Master Kenobi's words and left.
Obi Wan uttered a heavy sigh as he closed the door to the main house. With a soft thud, his forehead pressed against the metal door.
"Tired yet?" Ahsoka asked, her voice a hush in the quiet room. Meanwhile, Zena gave her a quiet wave, then joined her husband and son upstairs in their quarters, allowing the two old friends a moment of privacy.
She heard Master Kenobi snort at that; a yes if Ahsoka ever heard one. Using the force, she squeaked his chair out so he did not have to worry about moving it. Obi Wan fell heavily in the chair across the small table from her. He eyed the glass of blue milk, grasped it, then took a small sip.
"Naga, I haven't had one of these in years now." He breathed after his sip.
Ahsoka quirked an eyebrow, "Naga?"
Obi Wan blinked, "Um," He nodded towards his slumbering friends, "The deity most of them follow."
Ahsoka snickered quietly at that, "Since when do you believe in deities, Master?"
Ben gave her a weary look, "Oh, where do I begin?"
Ahsoka shrugged, her smirk wavering a little as a faraway look entered the Jedi Master's eyes. Finally, after all the chaos of the past few hours, she got a good look at him. To her shock, he looked remarkably good. Younger than she remembered, and as fit as the last time she saw him during those final weeks of the Clone Wars. She was tempted to brush against his mind with the force, but decided against it. It would not be the most respectful thing to do right now. Words would be best for now, and if needed, she would try to take a peek into his mind.
Hopefully that won't be necessary.
"Well," She cleared her through, fingers on her left hand tapping the metal table with quiet little pats, "Let's keep it simple for now, since you've clearly had a rough go of it lately. Who are these people with you?"
A small smile crossed Master Kenobi's lips, "They're the Shepherds of Ylisse and they… they're my friends from a planet that was undiscovered by the wider galaxy until probably two days ago." Ahsoka's eyes widened, "Before you ask, I don't know the exact coordinates, and I have no idea how I got there."
Ahsoka furrowed her brow, "No idea? What do you mean, no idea? I mean, you'd have to have known how you got to such a great hiding spot."
Obi Wan snorted, "Wasn't so great in the end. The Empire still came and," He swallowed hard, and she could sense grief wash over him for the first time all evening. He sniffed hard, one of his thumbs going up to his right eye and brushing away a stray tear, "well, you know how the Empire is."
Ahsoka nodded, "Yeah, I know." She uttered a heavy sigh, "But you managed to do better than a lot of people, especially other Jedi."
Obi Wan shifted in his seat, "Speaking of the Jedi. Are we-"
Ahsoka shook her head, "I know of one other Jedi Survivor." Obi Wan's eyes lifted, then sank as he realized that only one other Jedi survived the purges, "You wouldn't believe who."
"Who?"
Ahsoka gave him a wry grin, "Master Windu."
Obi Wan's eyes bugged from his skull, "But- but he-" He drew back in his seat, stunned, "How?"
"Pure determination and power, probably?" Ahsoka shrugged, "I've only spoken to him once or twice through a comm link. Haven't seen him in person yet."
Obi Wan's brow furrowed as Ahsoka brought her glass of milk to her lips.
"How can you know it's him then?"
Ahsoka nodded, setting her glass down, "Mutual friend of ours, whom I trust with my life. And whose name I cannot utter, because he is in a quite precarious and exposed position within the Empire."
"Someone near the levers of power then." Obi Wan replied, making Ahsoka smile.
"You're still sharp, Master." Ahsoka drew in a breath, "Other than Master Windu, I haven't heard of any other Jedi Survivors. I've heard rumors, but nothing concrete. Usually the rumors are wild bantha chases, and I can't afford to get caught up in those right now."
"Some of those bantha chases have deadly traps set by imperial hunters, after all." Obi Wan remarked, before taking a sip of milk.
"That they do." Ahsoka leaned forward in her seat, suddenly feeling giddy like a padawan all over again as she spoke to her old friend, "But enough about that. You'll get reacquainted with this messed up galaxy soon enough. What happened to you? What happened to these people you're with? How in the blazes did you manage to get your hands on a Consular Class ship on a planet that, for lack of a better term, appears to be in the stone age?"
"Medieval age." Obi Wan corrected, making Ahsoka chuckled.
"Right, sorry. Those swords aren't made of rocks, from what I can tell."
"May as well have been, for what good they did us." Obi Wan sighed. His eyes glazed over a moment as he looked at his glass of milk, sitting idly on the table in front of him, "Everything was finally at peace. We had just finished defeating an aggressive Empire and their warlord when it happened. One moment, we were about to celebrate the announcement that… that Sumia was pregnant with Chrom's second child, and the next the Empire struck." Ahsoka felt her heart ache as Kenobi spoke, "I don't know all of the details of the attack, because I was busy getting that ship, the Ark, to the Shepherds. All I know is the Empire struck fast and hard, and they were led by a blue skinned Admiral named Thrawn."
"So I've gathered." Ahsoka nodded.
"Have you heard of him?"
There was a bite to Kenobi's voice as he spoke now. A venom that caught Ahsoka off guard. The melancholy in his eyes had been replaced by a burning fire that she had never seen in the Jedi Master before. Master Kenobi had always been the perfect Jedi, in her eyes. Calm and collected; never letting the moment, or his emotions, get the better of him regardless of the situation he was placed in. But right now, she could sense pain and anger.
"I haven't." She replied, her voice dropping low, "He's a new one. I'll have to dig up information on him through my various agents within the Empire." She sensed disappointment join the anger, and her concern grew, "Master, are you- well, you're not alright." She saw a brief flash of anxiety cross his face, "What's wrong?" She glanced over at the few sleeping Shepherds nearby, "How close to these people did you get?"
Obi Wan Kenobi didn't say a word. Instead, he glanced towards the sofa, his gaze falling on the slight, blind girl named Noire. Immediately, the anger Ahsoka sensed melted away, replaced by a paternal love that blindsided her.
"W-wait a moment-" She shook her head, "Let's back this speeder up a second."
"I agree." Obi Wan nodded, returning his attention to the Togruta, "There's a lot to explain."
"More than a lot." Ahsoka scoffed, "From what I sensed, you may as well view Noire as your daughter."
"Well… she is, from a certain point of view."
Ahsoka furrowed her brow, perplexed, "Is she adopted or-"
"No, she's biologically mine."
Now Ahsoka felt beyond confused. Her jaw hung a little open as she regarded Obi Wan with mild doubt and a little concern.
"What am I missing here?" She asked.
Ben leaned towards her, his voice falling low again, "The planet I was on is locked in an apocalyptic conflict between their two main deities, a pair of dragons named Naga and Grima. Noire, Cynthia, Brady, Luke, and Severa all come from a ruined future where Grima won the conflict. They jumped back in time with more of their friends to try and prevent his rise to power."
Ahsoka could feel one of her eyes twitching. She gave her blue milk a brief, apprehensive glance, then plucked the glass and brought it to her nose. She took a sharp sniff, and felt more confusion fill her.
It hasn't gone bad.
"I'm not lying to you, Ahsoka."
"Maybe, but…" She scoffed, "Of all the things I've seen and heard, Master Kenobi, that has to be the wildest one yet."
"Trust me, I have a hard time believing it too. But, you can sense that I am telling the truth. You can ask the others when they wake up as well. None of them will lie to you. Well, none except for maybe Aversa."
"Why her?"
Obi Wan cringed, "She's not exactly a friend of ours. More like a stowaway."
"Ah." Ahsoka nodded, "Tension there, gotcha." She ran a hand over her forehead as her mind continued to reel. First an unknown planet with wild amounts of variation in technology (judging by the swords and the ship that is), and now Master Kenobi is talking about deities and time travel.
How is this somehow feeling normal?
"Well," Ahsoka cleared her throat, "Did you win against Grimy."
Obi Wan let out a small laugh, "Grima." He corrected.
"Yeah, him."
Obi Wan shook his head, "He hasn't appeared yet. Though with us gone, he'll likely take this as his opportunity to conquer the planet." He drew in a deep breath, "There is more, Ahsoka."
"I'm sure there is." Ahsoka nodded, "But let's keep it on the important stuff for now. I'm sure I'll catch up on everything else eventually."
"Right." Obi Wan breathed, "One of our companions, a student of mine named Lucina-"
"Hold on!" Ahsoka cried, "Student!?"
"Keep your voice down." Obi Wan hissed back, reminding Ahsoka that the others were asleep nearby.
Ahsoka cringed, "Sorry, but-" She shook her head, "You have a padawan?"
"Well, I knighted her not long ago, but she is also one of the children from the future. Chrom's daughter to be precise, his firstborn. She-" He swallowed hard, "she was supposedly killed in the assault. While I don't doubt the capabilities of Imperial soldiers, after Order 66, I do doubt they could've killed her on their own. She was… strong."
Ahsoka hummed, fingers tapping along the side of her glass, "You're thinking another force wielder attacked your planet?"
"I sensed it." Ben continued, "The Dark Side of the Force clouded over everything in a fog so dense that I hadn't felt anything like it since the Jedi Order fell." He grimaced as he took a breath, "It felt like a Sith. Tell me, does the Emperor have a new apprentice?"
Ahsoka furrowed her brow, "I'm not entirely sure myself. I've only heard of one apprentice, but he disappeared about three years ago. My sources haven't been able to locate him. However, my contacts have alerted me about a new protege of the Emperor who has become extremely powerful in the meantime." Ahsoka reached for her belt and withdrew a hologram disc, "I've got one of the only pieces of evidence we have of her. She led an assault against an uprising on Naboo."
The hologram flickered to life, revealing a battle between a group of Jedi Knights, some Imperial soldiers wielding red lightsabers, and a young girl wearing a purple, black, and gold coat, wielding a spellbook.
Obi Wan's eyes widened as he focused on the girl. He could practically feel her power radiating through the images he was watching as she electrocuted several Jedi Knights to death with powerful bursts of lighting. His gaze narrowed on the spellbook in her grasp, and his heart stopped beating.
"I know that book."
Ahsoka blinked, "You do?"
"It's from the planet I was on. A close friend of mine had one exactly like it before he… before he died during the war with Valm." Ben swallowed hard, "How does she have one?" One hand ran up to his chin and rubbed his beard as he brow furrowed, "Do we have a name for this new apprentice?"
"I'm not sure if she is an apprentice." Ahsoka quickly clarified as she flicked the hologram off, "My sources are divided on what her actual role in the Empire really is. Some think she's an assassin of some sort, others believe her to be a new Inquisitor, some simply call her a witch in service to the Emperor. But her notoriety grows by the day, and she has a personal residence in the Emperor's palace on Coruscant."
"Then she is an apprentice." Obi Wan replied, "The Emperor would want to keep his apprentice close."
Ahsoka nodded, "I feel the same way. My only hang up is her name. She does not carry the traditional title of Darth."
"Oh?"
"Right, my reaction was the same. And I have two names for her. Depending on which Imperial channel you're on, they vary. The most common I've seen is Ragana. But I've seen another name pop up that my sources have managed to source to her as well." Ahsoka took a breath, "Morgan."
"Morgan?" Obi Wan repeated, brow furrowed, "Morgan…"
"What about Morgan?" Noire muttered sleepily.
Ahsoka saw Obi Wan's face blanch completely as Noire uttered a small yawn. He quickly whipped his head toward Noire.
"Rest, Noire. Ahsoka and I are just catching up."
"Has she found Morgan, like she found Gerome?" Noire muttered, her lips smacking together as her heavy head fell back against the sofa's armrest. She didn't say another word as she drifted off again, her exhaustion quickly claiming her.
Obi Wan's hands trembled on the table, making the blue milk in his glass ripple. Ahsoka gave her old friend a worried look.
"Master?"
"Oh Naga…" He breathed, one hand going up to his mouth and covering it, "Robin, I'm so sorry."
"What is it, Master?" Ahsoka pressed.
Obi Wan swallowed hard, his eyes closing as she sensed even more grief fill him, "She's one of the children. The child of the man I considered my best friend on the planet I was on."
"O-oh."
Ahsoka pursed her lips as her hologram disc remained on the tabletop, dark and quiet. Obi Wan glanced at it again, tempted to replay the footage Ahsoka had on Morgan, before deciding against it. Instead, he cleared his throat and ran his hands over his eyes.
"I need sleep."
"R-right." Ahsoka breathed, "You do." She bit her lip as Obi Wan moved to get out of his chair, "Master."
"Yes?" Obi Wan replied, his voice trembling.
"Before you leave," Ahsoka swallowed any hesitation she had, "How did you survive Order 66? Wh-what happened to you?"
The sharpest pang of sorrow and grief she ever felt washed over Obi Wan, startling Ahsoka. She could sense pain and fear intermingling with the grief, creating a deadly concoction that clouded Obi Wan's mind and shielded his thoughts from any possible prying. Something terrible happened to her mentor and friend, something that changed him forever. This was no longer the Obi Wan Kenobi, stalwart Jedi Master and General that she knew growing up. This was a broken soldier, barely holding it together thanks to the bonds he forged with new friends in a new life he had built.
A life the Empire also managed to tear down.
"After barely escaping Utapau, I regrouped with Master Yoda." Obi Wan began, his voice a whisper in the dark room, "We decided to confront the Sith Master and his Apprentice. Yoda went to fight the Emperor, and I went to fight the Apprentice, named Vader."
Ahsoka's heart hammered in her chest. Vader, that was the name of the Emperor's fist. The person she suspected was the Emperor's apprentice when her work as Fulcrum first began. He was the person that disappeared three years ago, and had seemingly been replaced by Morgan. Still, that name left a resounding impact on her. More than one rumor of a surviving Jedi had been put down by the Emperor's fist finding that Jedi and slaughtering them. Ahsoka simply counted herself lucky that she never came face to face with him herself.
"I fought Vader on Mustafar." Obi Wan gulped, "And I killed him."
Ahsoka furrowed her brow. Obi Wan killed Darth Vader? That… that made no sense. Unless he confronted the Sith Apprentice a couple years after Order 66 occurred, but his telling of events made it seem like this happened immediately in the wake of the Jedi Order's destruction.
Something is not adding up in all of this.
"After that," She sensed hesitation to fill him, but she did not pry. Obi Wan could have his secrets from her for now, because right now he was just a friend and not a part of the rebellion. If, or when, he did join the Rebellion's cause though, those secrets would have to be unveiled, "After that, I wound up on the Shepherd's planet. Somehow getting there after being shot down by the Empire."
Ahsoka inclined her chin. That part aligned with Bail Organa's telling of what happened to Master Kenobi. It still did not explain how he survived, but it lined up with the timeline of events. There were gaps in information, but she was not going to press her friend on the matter tonight. Master Kenobi looked exhausted, and grief stricken. He needed a moment to rest and gather himself, just like all of his new friends.
"Alright." She breathed. Obi Wan moved to leave, "Master."
Obi Wan's back remained turned to her as he stood up, "Yes?"
She took a deep breath, "You didn't kill Vader." She saw him stiffen where he stood. Fear and pain radiated out of him as her words hung in the air. "He's the apprentice that disappeared three years ago."
Obi Wan Kenobi said nothing in return. He took a deep breath, shoulders rising, then falling as he uttered a shuddering exhale. Then he quietly walked away, not so much as wishing Ahsoka a good night. As he left the main house and made his way to the Depot's bunkhouse, Ahsoka turned her eyes to the hologram disc on the table. She flicked it on, then turned it to a different image.
The footage of Morgan turned to static, replaced by a still image of a dark figure wearing black robes and armor. A grimacing mask and helmet covered his head. He stood at an imposing height, and his presence, even in a hologram, made Ahsoka shudder.
Darth Vader. She thought, one hand bringing her glass of blue milk to her lips, Did you find Master Kenobi before me?
Her eyes flicked to the few sleeping Shepherds sharing the main room of the Antilles' residence with her.
Did you destroy their home too?
She shook her head. Those were questions she could explore at another time. Right now, she had more pressing matters to attend to. Sleep would have to wait for a few more hours. Quietly, she reached for a comm link and clicked it on.
"Senator Organa, it's Fulcrum, come in."
Static for a moment, she wondered if the Senator was slumbering. Then she heard some shuffling, and a tired yawn cut through the static.
"Fulcrum? Are you alright? What is-"
"I found him."
"Found who?"
She took a deep breath, "I've made contact with Master Kenobi. He's with me at the Antilles residence on Corellia. We're currently taking shelter with a small rebel cell here. Laying low at the moment and-"
"Wait what!? How did you- Kenobi's alive!?"
Ahsoka frowned, "Master Windu didn't tell you?"
Static crackled on the other end for a moment, "No he didn't. Um… I'll speak to him about that soon. Do you require any assistance?"
Ahsoka bit her lip. Her first instinct was to say yes, but there was a large part of her telling her to slow down. Getting Bail involved would mean involving Obi Wan and his friends fully into the Rebellion. Doing something like that so soon after a major disaster for them would be rude. Master Kenobi and his companions need time to regroup, to grieve, and to clear their minds so that they can make an informed decision on whether or not to join the rebellion. As much as she wanted Obi Wan to join her in her fight against the Empire, she also recognized that he had built himself a new life. There was a very large possibility that he would want to move on and just live a normal life. He was no longer just a Jedi Master; he was a father, a friend, a lover to someone else (if Noire was any indication). How could she ask him to risk all of that so soon after nearly losing it all?
"Not yet." She whispered, "Right now Master Kenobi and his companions are shell shocked. I think springing a rebellion on them right now would be less than ideal. They need time to recover and grieve. I'll keep you informed if anything changes."
A heavy sigh was Bail's initial reply. A disappointed sound, but one Ahsoka expected. The Rebellion was so small, so new, and so vulnerable. Any Jedi Master added to their ranks would bolster their cause enormously, especially someone known as the Negotiator.
"Very well." Bail replied, "Broach the rebellion at some point. And stay wary Fulcrum, Corellia is not very safe right now."
Ahsoka snorted, "I'm aware. The Empire is crawling all over this place."
"Do you know why?"
Ahsoka furrowed her brow, "No, I don't. What's going on?"
"The Empire has been noticing an uptick in Crimson Dawn activity in the Corellia system. They've been taking territory from the Shadow Collective and the Hutts within the core worlds. Violently too. They don't care who gets in the way, so keep that in mind."
Ahsoka closed her eyes. As if the Empire wasn't enough, now she had to worry about an upstart criminal organization making waves in the core systems. She didn't know much about Crimson Dawn, but she knew they were dangerous. Much more violent and reckless than either the Shadow Collective or the Hutts. She was grateful Bail warned her about them, cause Corellia would absolutely be a possible hideout for them.
"I'll keep an eye out for them."
"Good. Take care, Fulcrum. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you too."
She clicked her comm link off, and took a deep breath. Her fingers tapped against her glass of blue milk as she remained wide awake at the small dining table. So much going on, so little she could do about it. Worrying about both the Empire and Crimson Dawn was going to lead to another sleepless night for her. With a heavy sigh, she pulled her legs up onto her seat, crossed them, and closed her eyes.
Might as well meditate.
To say life has not been an absolute, uncontrollable, down right confusing whirlwind for Robin would be to say that death is permanent. A certainty that Robin has now learned can somehow be proven false. Now, in the weeks since he awoke on a new world, with that frog of a creature murmuring around him in a cramped hut, Robin half expected the sun not to rise, water not to be wet, and for his hair to reverse pigment back to brown.
The latter he actually hoped would happen. Everytime he stole a glance into the little, foggy mirror in Yoda's hut, he couldn't recognize himself. He always expected to see brown eyes, brown hair, pale but not ghost white skin. But now, he looked practically vampiric. Snow white hair crowned his head, red eyes would look back at him through the mirror, and his skin felt nearly translucent at times. He felt like he wasn't staring at a reflection of himself, or even at a living, breathing person. He felt like he was looking at a corpse, a demon in the flesh.
Which is what I am, isn't it?
He gulped as he sat on a dead, rotten log just outside of Yoda's hut. It was his usual sitting spot. Not much else to do around here. He did not feel confident enough to go wandering the dense, dark swamps that surrounded him (since Yoda always muttered about creatures ready to eat him if he did). And Yoda, well… he was not one for conversation. For some reason, that frog of a creature always regarded him with wariness and grumpiness. Never sparing a curt tone in his backwards speech patterns. That is, if Yoda even exchanged words at all with Robin. Most of the time, the diminutive looking creature stayed inside his hut and meditated. A practice Robin also tried to reinstill in himself.
But everytime he tried, the memories of Demon's Ingle came rushing to the surve. The searing pain of hot lava and ash slamming into his body, enveloping him, burning him alive; it all felt so real. It was real. He knew it happened. In a desperate attempt to save his friends, he stayed behind and held off the Deadlords long enough for Ben to evacuate Tiki.
Then I gave up. Robin felt his throat constrict, I let myself die. I needed to die.
He knew who he was. While his amnesia still remained, bits and pieces of his old life were unveiled in his mind every day. He could recall a childhood in the Plegian capitol. Small memories of wandering around the Grimleal Temple with his mother would occasionally surface in his thoughts, catching him off guard. Magic lessons with his father… with Validar, would also rise from the depths of his mind. Mostly hands on spellcasting stuff. His mother was the one who instructed him on theory and the fundamentals. Apparently she was a stickler on those to him.
He even recalled having a sister, though he didn't seem to recall her face or name. At some point, that memory would return as well, in its own time. Robin really did feel like forcing the memories to return, not anymore. Before his death, before Demon's Ingle, one of the main goals of his life had been to rediscover his past. To find his memories so that he could be himself again. Now that he knew the truth of his existence, he wanted nothing more than to forget everything that had to do with his past.
I am Grima.
He shuddered at the thought, bile rising up his throat. Everytime he thought about it, he felt sick. Him… Grima, the Fell Dragon fated to bring about untold misery and destruction to the world. Destined to slaughter his friends, to orphan their children, and to hunt them down through time itself in order to finish the job.
Robin grit his teeth. His jaw creaked as he clenched tighter. His fingers curled into tight fists on his thighs.
Why didn't I die? He swallowed hard, If I did, then there would be a chance that none of that would happen. There would be a chance that someone else, not me, would be the one to wind up killing them all.
A shuddering breath rattled from his lungs and he buried his face in his hands for what felt like the millionth time since he awoke from death. He could still see all of their faces: Chrom, Ben, Sumia, Lissa- all of the Shepherds, all of his friends, they were in his thoughts still, and it made his heart hammer in his chest harder.
Tiki…
In the future, he killed her. He was Grima, and he killed her. For Robin, it felt a bit juvenile, maybe even naive to have such strong feelings for someone he barely knew; but Naga, he really liked being around her. He never felt so flustered, out of focus, and completely dumbfounded than when she was with him. That night where she dragged him into a wild Feroxi dancing pit around a bonfire was one that he cherished.
Where was she now? Did she survive Demon's Ingle? Did the Shepherds survive? Or did he kill them all again, just in a different way this time? Did his strategy doom them all?
It seems I will never know. He thought, lip trembling, If they all died, then the deed is done. Fate won, and I lost.
Perhaps that was why Grima did not come bursting to the surface within him now. He won, so what use did the Fell Dragon have for his meager body anymore? The cruelest thing that bastard of a lizard could do was leave him to wallow and remember his mistakes. To live forever in his regrets, a punishment far worse than death. He could feel a chill growing in the air as his sorrow was replaced by anger.
If I ever have a chance to kill Grima, I will. And this time, I won't fail.
The door to the hut groaned open, and the little, diminutive old creature named Yoda came shambling out. He shuffled along the mossy ground with the help of a gnarled cane. His long ears twitched as he took a deep breath of the musty air, then his bulbous eyes turned to Robin.
"Wallowing still, are you?"
Robin blinked. This was the first time since Robin awoke that Yoda addressed him first. It wrenched him out of his anger and grief for a split second, then his mind whiplashed back to his reality, and he turned his eyes back to his feet.
"What do you think?" He replied indignantly as one foot swiped a stray leaf away from his other boot.
Am I wallowing? Of course I'm wallowing! What else can I do? I'm trapped in a swampy hell with only my mind, my regrets, and a talking toad.
"Hrmmm…" Yoda hummed as he stood next to Robin, not even coming up to Robin's waist despite Robin sitting down, "Toad hrm?"
Robin sucked in a sharp breath. He had forgotten who he shared a hut with. Unless Ben was talking about a different Yoda, then this was the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. This little, green, frog-man with speech patterns that would've puzzled old Gregor, was the most powerful Jedi Master according to Ben. Robin at first found that hard to believe. Then he learned Yoda could read his mind without much effort, and that was more than enough for Robin to believe what little stories he knew about Yoda.
His train of thought was interrupted by Yoda quietly hopping up onto the log and taking a seat, his three toed feet dangling from the log like a small child's. A heavy sigh left the old Master's green lips as he sat in silence next to Robin. Robin meanwhile, glanced at Yoda, feeling thoroughly confused, awkward, and perhaps a bit irritated by the toad's arrival.
"You have a reason to sit there?" Robin asked, his anger still bubbling hot within him.
Yoda sniffed, "Enjoying relaxing time, I was. Hm… cooking dinner, yes. Then cold, it became." Yoda turned his oblong head towards Robin, "Despite hot fire, cold."
"Get a blanket then."
Yoda smacked Robin's shin hard with his cane, eliciting a loud yelp from the white haired man.
"Elders, speak to them this way before, did you?"
"To everyone, speak this way, do you?"
"Mocking me, you are!"
"I cannot believe I need to intervene on your conversation like a parent coming between squabbling children." A third voice interrupted, startling Robin and making Yoda utter a long, low sigh.
"Qui Gon…" Yoda muttered.
"Who- wait, wha- huh?" Robin whipped his head around, searching for the source of the voice. When he didn't see one, he furrowed his brow, "I'm hearing ghosts?"
"You are, Robin."
Robin surged from his seat, teeth gritted as he looked for a person. When he didn't see any, his shoulders sagged and he stumbled back. He fell back to his seat, exasperated, exhausted, and confused. He ran one hand over his face, groaning as it fell back into his lap.
Yoda harrumphed as Robin sank into his seat, "Ready to listen, are you?"
Robin opened his mouth, then paused, waiting for the ghost to speak instead. When it did not, he started to open his mouth again, then paused once more.
A ghost is really talking to us? His jaws closed with a clomp, Am I alive, dead, or in some sort of twisted in-between?
"Master Yoda…" The ghost said with an exasperated sigh, "I know you are not pleased with the situation but-"
"Pleased? Hmph, understatement that is. Did not expect to teach until young Leia's arrival. Then, plans interrupted, they are. Cave spits him out." He glared over at Robin, "Do what with him? Hrmph…I have already helped him."
"The force brought him to you for a reason." Qui Gon retorted, his voice remaining calm and soothing, "And you survived for a reason as well, Robin."
"Yeah, well what reason? I sure would like to know." Robin growled back. He moved to shove his hands in his coat pocket, then realized he didn't have his coat anymore. It lay in a tattered, torn, singed heap on his little bed in Yoda's hut.
I don't even have my coat to comfort me right now!
Yoda's ears perked after he spoke, and his eyes narrowed at Robin, "Die, wanted to, you did?"
The question caught Robin off guard. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure of how to respond. He knew he could not outright lie to Yoda, or to ghost Qui Gon. Both of them seemed to be able to read his mind like it was a children's book, so there was no point in trying to conceal anything. It's not like he really knew how to defend himself from such things. Ben never really did get into that part of training, not that he blamed Ben for neglecting such a thing. Wars took precedence over extracurricular instruction on the Force, and Robin and Ben were both instrumental cogs in the Ylissean war machine.
It couldn't have killed him to give me a hint or two though?
"Angry, you are." Yoda hummed, his head nodding, "I sense much anger in you. Pain as well. Hmmm… lost, you feel."
"Lost?" Robin snorted, "Naga, I wish I was just lost." He swallowed as he leaned forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees as he bowed his head, "Did you ever have a destiny you could not avoid?"
"Oooooh," Yoda croaked, "Seek to avoid destiny through death, did you?"
Robin took in a deep breath through his nose, "I'm destined to kill everyone I love. To destroy the world I call home. So yes… I wanted to die once I learned that terrible truth." He pursed his lips as he recalled his final moments on Demon's Ingle. The relief he felt when he realized he saved his friends, when he saved Tiki. He recalled staring down the Deadlords again, then realizing he wanted to fight like hell to beat them. His mind, at that time, still raced to figure out a way to live, despite everything he knew, "At the same time though, I didn't, and I'm- I-" He ran a hand through his white hair, "I'm just confused now."
Yoda was quiet a moment, and so was Qui Gon. Robin closed his eyes, throat constricting again as he relived the battle again. Naga, what were his friends thinking, if they were even alive right now. What was going through Chrom and Sumia's minds? Or Ben and Tharja, what were they doing now that he was gone?
And Tiki… Naga, is she alright? Robin thought. Does she think it is her fault for his death? He really hoped she wasn't feeling that way. But again, he would never know. Not unless he could somehow get off of this soggy rock he was on now.
"Worried about the future, you were." Yoda croaked, causing Robin to glance over at him again. Yoda nodded, "Worried, much like I was at one time. Tried to prevent a certainty, only to nearly cause it as a result."
"I-" Robin choked as some tears bubbled in his eyes, "I don't know if I caused it. I don't-" He inhaled deep, trying to steady his emotions before he broke down completely, "I don't know anything."
"Wisest thing you've said this entire time."
Robin snapped his gaze to Yoda, while the little toad gave him a small, knowing smirk.
"Think you fulfilled a terrible destiny, hm?" Yoda jabbed him in the ribs with the end of his cane, "Think that is actually your destiny? So certain of the future, you are. So certain of fate. So certain you cannot bother to look right in front of you. Unable to focus on what you are doing, on what is happening around you." Yoda drew in a breath and he looked into the swamp, "Know this destiny, how do you?"
Robin sucked in a breath. A quick mental debate occurred in his mind. Does he tell Yoda about Lucina and the ruined future? Does he explain it all to a Jedi Master he hardly knows, let alone trusts? Yoda had been accommodating to him so far, sure. But friendly? Robin had a feeling Dooku would be more likely to give him a genuine smile.
But what did Robin have to lose? What could Yoda do to change anything to come? He was alive still, which means the Fell Dragon within him lived. His destiny had not changed, only been delayed.
"Robin?"
"I know because I know people who lived through what I caused!" Robin exclaimed, finally allowing his grief and anger to come bursting to the surface.
The Force rippled around him as a result, startling Yoda as rocks, dead tree limbs, and dirt swirled off of the ground. Robin quickly realized what was going on and stifled his sudden burst of power, causing all of the objects to crash back to the ground.
"My best friend's daughter, Lucina, came back from a ruined future that I caused. Because inside of me lives a monster that I will not be able to control for long." Robin closed his eyes as he tried to steady his racing heart, "She explained it all to me and my friends. That I killed my best friend. Stabbed him in the back, in fact. That I launched an all out war on the living by raising swarms of undead monsters to slaughter them all in my name."
"In your name?" Yoda croaked, "Can't help but notice, you feel detached from this future?"
"Well… the perpetrator is an evil dragon named Grima, but I am Grima's vessel." Robin replied, "Grima lives inside of me. So long as I live, he lives. So long as I live, that terrible future remains."
"Oh? Still so certain, are you?" Yoda hopped off of the rotted log, "What else did Lucina speak of?"
"What else?" Robin asked, puzzled.
"Did Lucina mention anything else about the future, beyond the destruction Grima caused?"
Robin furrowed his brow as he thought for a moment, "Not much, now that I recall. She… she did say that Exalt Emmeryn was supposed to die in an assassination attempt, and not in an execution in Plegia. But her interference changed that course of events and-"
"Ooooh," Yoda bobbed his head, "And yet, so certain you are."
Robin bowed his head, "I… sort of see your point there. But again, the Fell Dragon is inside of me. I am destined to-"
"Your destiny is your own to make, Robin. The future is never certain."
"Only certainty about the future, that is." Yoda nodded.
"Well how can I forge my own destiny with… with this thing inside of me!?" Robin cried, "Eventually it is going to take over. Eventually it will consume me and I will be a monster!"
Yoda and Qui Gon were quiet again as Robin glared at Yoda, pleading for some sort of answer. Instead of speaking up, he saw Yoda bow his head and utter a heavy sigh.
"The Force brought him to me, it did?"
"He would not be here otherwise, Master." Qui Gon replied.
Yoda's small hand kneaded the head of his cane. WIth a grunt, he hopped down from the rotting log and shuffled up to Robin. A displeased huff came from the small creature's lips as he looked Robin up and down.
"Don't bring up age now, Master." Qui Gon said, causing a frustrated snarl to slip from Yoda's lungs, "You know the Jedi of old accepted students as old as Robin is."
"Jedi of old…" Yoda grumbled, "Jedi of old, hmph." He paced a couple times in front of Robin, gnarled cane sinking a little bit into the soft earth with each shuffle he took. With a final heavy sigh, Yoda closed his eyes, "Much darkness I sense within him. Much anger, much pain, much sorrow, and fear… yes, fear as well. So much to work past."
"W-work past, what-" Robin's eyes widened, "Are you considering teaching me? W-why? I mean, I just explained to you what I am; what I'm supposed to become."
"It is precisely for that reason Master Yoda and I should teach you." Qui Gon replied, "You are not an evil man, Robin. I have observed you alongside Obi Wan for some time now. And I believe you have the power needed to help bring balance back to the galaxy. I also believe that your power will be needed when the great battles to come occur. Obi Wan, Lucina, and their companions will not be able to face the coming storm alone. They will need you, Robin; alive, and ready to rejoin the fight."
"A jedi he will never be!" Yoda harrumphed, stamping his stick in the ground.
"Then he will be something different, something new." Qui Gon retorted, "The Force wants you to guide him on that journey, Master. Do not ignore its will."
Yoda grumbled something unintelligible under his breath before turning his gaze back to Robin.
"Listen to our instruction, you will?" He shuffled a few steps towards Robin and stared up at him with an unblinking, penetrating stare, "Obey our commands, hm? Heed our wisdom?"
Robin reeled. In the span of one conversation, Yoda went from hardly wanting to speak to him to offering to teach him the ways of the Force. Perhaps even offering to teach him a way to combat the monster that lived within him. Perhaps death was not a path he had to take? It was still one, and it was a road that he lingered near.
I've already tried that once. Robin thought, That didn't work. He glanced down at Yoda, Perhaps this path will.
"Yes." Robin replied, voice no longer uncertain but filled with resolute determination.
"Hmm…" Yoda pressed his lips into a thin line then nodded, "Rocks we need. Yes… rocks."
Robin blinked, "R-rocks?"
"Learn about the force, yes?" Yoda chirped as he waddled away. He glanced back at Robin, and for the first time, Robin saw a lively sparkle in the creature's moss green eyes, "First step involves rocks."
"I suggest you go get some rocks."
Robin bit his lips, still confused, "Okay then?" He took a step away from the hut, his eyes scanning the ground, "How big-"
"Rocks!" Yoda stamped his cane, and Robin jumped.
"Alright, alright." Robin replied, "I guess that means some pretty good sized rocks then. Certainly not pebbles." He sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
I have no idea where this toad is going with all of this but-
"Toad I am not!"
Robin cringed and gave Yoda a sheepish look.
What are you then?
And chapter! Ah, a bit of a refreshing chapter. Not so dark as the past few, and maybe even a little bit happier given old friends have reunited and new friendships have been made. This is the start of a small, min arc here on Corellia. Who's the antagonist? Well… not necessarily the Empire. You all will find out soon who it is. And the Shepherds have arrived in space, and thankfully near someone friendly. I debated where to send the Ark to, and decided on Corellia because it is the closest to where the Shepherds planet is probably at in the inner core (other than Coruscant and Alderaan that is), and I don't think it'd hold up for much longer in hyperspace (and despite Tiki's massive power reserves, I don't think she'd manage to power a super long jump). I'm excited to bring Ahsoka further into the fold, she's one of my favorite characters. Then we get a Robin and Yoda scene (FINALLY). Their dynamic and relationship will be interesting, because they both don't necessarily get along, but they have to work together. It'll be fun to write.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it! Have a nice day!
Come join the Treehouse! Discord code is: 9XG3U7a