The day was dreary and grey. A harsh rainfall beset the village and ruined the recent harvest. Ahsoka's stomach growled as she had to forgo breakfast. Unable to eat while looking into the starving eyes of children she gave her plate for them to split.
Her wounds healed nicely. Though her body carried some scars. Fighting three-years in The Clone War didn't warrant this much scarring as these last eight-months have. Confused and desperate for answers, Ahsoka found herself stranded on Songin assisting a fighting force ill-equipped to take on the mighty Galactic Empire. Her clothes hung off her torso and some of her upper body strength wavered as she receded into the background.
A Togruta is not a common citizen on Songin. Mostly Humans, Twi'leks and Mandalorian rejects. Standing out like a sore thumb wasn't the best idea for Ahsoka when the name of the game was laying low. The Jedi are wanted all across the galaxy. Abandoned by the very people they've protected for over a thousand generations.
Rarely did she leave her quarters. All she did was meditate and occasionally assist in farming the land. Judging by the rain she wouldn't be doing that today.
She could not do much of anything from her desolate rock, as she watched her universe incinerate. The fire which engulfed everything in its path left her with very little. No friends. No hope. Only seventeen years of age Ahsoka felt her body ache as if triple that number. Still, she did not let complacency and the overall gloom situation keep her down.
"Ashla." A man called her. "Chichi needs you."
Ahsoka's been called that for so long in so many places she worried she'll need to think of a new alias - and fast. "Ashla" was creating a bit of a reputation for herself.
"You wanted to see me?"
Riyo was two-years Ahsoka's junior. Her blue skin similar to the night sky, her blonde hair messy, but hidden under a loose fitted cap. "You're looking better." Riyo notes how the color in Ahsoka's orange skin returned, and how her facial markings look smooth. Such flattery made Ahsoka bashful. Not anything she could say about these things. To be frank, the detour from more pressing matters did not amuse her.
"There is ship coming at the Burst Port. I need you to oversee it and make sure it gets to the lock up safely."
"What's the cargo?"
"Weapons. Armor. You know, stuff needed to fight an empire."
Though capable of handling herself in a fight, her convoy could not. Her band shivered in the brisk winds and the nightfall robbed them of her sight. "Maybe you should use your lightsaber for light?" Someone requests. Ahsoka ignored them. She couldn't. It would cause attention. If they're being watched the last thing they need is to show potential ambushers a Jedi is in their midsts. Any reservations about ambushing them will instantly vanish and be replaced by the riches one stands to gain killing a Jedi.
Word spread of Shili falling to the Separatists fast. Everyone looked at Ahsoka differently since then, assuming she would dive head first into an operation to save her people. Not too long ago she partook in a mission to destroy the Zygerrian slave trade.
Ironically, she finds herself on the home planet of who she served with during that time.
Her small convoy treaded carefully on the rocky terrain and slid through narrow pathways to get to their destination. Not before a band of raiders attempted to overtake them. Though weaponless, Ahsoka managed to fend them off. It helped the people in the convoy knew their way around a blaster too.
"You're good." Someone compliments her. "Where you're from?" The man is elbowed by a woman next to him.
"You don't ask strangers that!" She chides.
"She isn't a- hey, where'd she go?"
Ahsoka had walked away seeing her job was done. Being an escort was below her pay grade. But anything she could do to make an honest buck.
(Scene Break)
Leah looked at what she done and the feeling was dread. Bald. She shaved her head bald. Every little bump and dry patch of skin on her scalp now noticeable to the naked eye. She wasted no time applying lotion to the area seeing it needed tending to.
Did she make the right choice? Her mind races with possible consequences she'll face for her character change. Leah shook her head. Doesn't matter now. Tomorrow will be the day.
The inevitably of time brought about a new day, Leah walked through the door and instantly their gazes zeroed in on her. Concealing her inner turmoil she stares ahead, but aware of the judgement being cast upon her. It didn't take long for the promoter to notice the change in her appearance.
"What the hell are you doing?" A fiery, small man pokes his long finger into her chest.
"I wanted to try something different." Leah explained carefully. "I was growing tired of my stale persona, Mr. Lydia."
The promoter stares coldly into Leah's eyes before coming to life. "I love it! Always like talent asserting themselves. Individuality sells, damnit!" The sudden shift brings great relief to Leah. "By the way, Kyle is back. Seems like his career in the peace corps didn't work out. So you're working with him in a mix tag match."
"What?" Leah was taken aback at how casually the name was dropped. "Kyle? He hasn't been here in years."
"And now he's back. Funny. If he didn't leave I'd given him a title shot. Ah well, time marches on. You're on in an hour." He walls away before Leah could pester him for any more information. She doesn't even know where Kyle is to get reacquainted.
(Scene break)
The day started with Kyle waking up inside the Jedi Temple observing his weapon. Placing it across the room he tries to reach out for it, unable to move it. He considered conversing with Master Yoda about his inability to use the Force, but figured he'd never understand the old man's riddles and decided to resume with the handicap.
With his ability to use the Force diminished, Kyle left with his master to his home planet of Songin. Having been years since he's last been there, that fact alone was enough to drain him. He hardly kept tabs on his friends, and he lost connection with his family a while ago. Weary of how he would be received upon his homecoming, he didn't speak a word during the flight.
Depa didn't understand why her Padawan was so silent. After all, this was all his idea. Kyle is guilty of not coming to grips with the emotional ramifications returning to his old stomping grounds a shell of his once exuberant self.
"I'm fine, Master." Kyle would say. "I'm just thinking."
"You're unable to mask your emotions." She notices. "You still have much to learn. Returning home is complicated."
"Always is." He says curtly. It's then he noticed this was their first mission together in a very long time. What-if they see battle, will he be rusty? Kyle grew discouraged after a while and stopped practicing.
"I'm sorry what's happened over the last year. You deserved more from your master." Depa confesses. "I let others determine your fate and that wasn't fair. You're my Padawan and no matter what anyone says nothing is going to change that."
Kyle for once cracked a smile. He wanted to hug her but was worried the Jedi would find that too emotional. "Thanks, master." Was all he said.
"I only wish I told you this sooner."
(scene break)
A familiar face crosses Kyle's eyes. Even with the chopped off hair he could tell it was her. "Leah" he exclaims rushing to give her a hug. His master wasn't around so he could show his affection. "It's been so long."
"It's been too long." Leah agreed. "Have you found Vakidis?" She asks. Kyle shakes his head.
"No i came in and started getting dressed. I didn't have time to look. They left me my old garb. What do you think?" He poses cheekily. His black tights looked loose on him. The Jedi exercise regiment is a departure from that of a wrestler. Wrestlers put on muscle, and while that is a valued trait for a Jedi to act as guardians of the peace, they stress more healthy living and good cardio.
"You look like someone whose loss some muscle." Leah notices. "How about you let me start off." She insists. Kyle has pride and wanted to kick things off, but he relented. He's been gone for a while. Perhaps rust is a factor. "We're facing KayZee and York."
"They still tag champs?" Kyle asks.
"Not anymore. But they want the belts back."
They parted the curtains and the crowd was happy to see a blast from the past. The adoration is exactly what the doctor ordered for Kyle's damaged psyche. The cheers never sounded so sweet. Though he wasn't the promotions main star the fans knew he could reliever a quality match.
Leah began the event, Kyle having to tie a rope connected to the ring post to his wrist to keep him from interfering.
They lock up, Leah gaining the upper hand to start pushing her opponent into the corner where the referee had to order a break up at the count of five. Leah relinquishes the hold, then slaps KayZee across her face, which causes KayZee to take a cheap shot raking Leah's eyes. The momentary blindness gives KayZee the opening needed to wreck havoc as she goes to town destroying her. Chops across the chest, suplex's, and a sidewalk slam wasn't enough to put Leah away despite the various bruises. An attempt at an ankle lock led to her getting kicked off and Leah making a leaping tag to Kyle. Per the reals, KayZee needed to substitute in her male partner York.
Kyle and York stare at each other, seeing as he's much smaller Kyle had to crane his neck upwards. York takes a swing, but Kyle ducks and sidesteps, proceeding to unload punches to the chin of York. Being more agile than when he last was inside the ring, Kyle countered what ever the big man could throw at him. Unfortunately his momentum did not last very long. Once whipped into the ropes KayZee managed to choke Kyle with the rope around her wrist while York rained bombs on his stomach.
When the referee realized what had happened, he didn't throw the match to a disqualification and instead allowed it to continue. Only with KayZee sent to the back. Making this tag match an impromptu singles competition.
York grabs Kyle and hoists him on his shoulders, setting him up for a power bomb. To his surprise Kyle commenced a desperate flurry of rabbit punches to York's cranium and found himself launched over the top rope as he lost his grip and into the announce table near the ring. Leah rushes to check on him. In his daze, Kyle uttered he was fine over and over. The referee didn't seem to think so and was ready to fast count to ten declaring the match over via count out in favor of York. Scrambling to his feet, his body in tatters Kyle rolled back into the ring and was greeted with stiff kicks to the hips.
York put Kyle on his feet, he squared him up for strikes to the jaw. Kyle stumbles to the corner and right before another bruised fist could connect, he ducks out of the way and York's hand hits the post. He growls, but doesn't scream. Nonetheless, Kyle peppers him with rights and lefts as the tables have turned. York stumbles around as Kyle stalks him, showing little signs of letting up.
York swings Kyle into the ropes, he recovers and ricochets back to him elbow first sending the bigger fighter down. Kyle could feel the room spinning, so much was happening he wasn't certain if he could focus. KayZee took advantage of his momentary confusion and snatched him again, where he was at the mercy of his aggressor. York readied himself to charge. Running like a dog off his leash, at the last second Kyle slips free and York shoulder tackles KayZee off the apron. Distraught, he looks at the damage he's caused he doesn't realize Kyle creep up on and roll him up for the one, two and three.
It took longer than he intended, but upon his return in his first match Kyle scores the victory. Depleted of strength he keels over, having not remastered the art of maintaining ones stamina.
Behind the curtain Vakidis was waiting for them, anxious to rekindle a forgotten friendship. Kyle made his intentions known to the promoter later that day to enter in the tournament for the Glider Cup held on Shilli.