His head was in severe pain, throbbing madly. Trying to get his legs under him was a task in of itself, falling to the side and having to use the wall for support. Kyle was a mess, and the rest of the crew didn't fair much better. They were knocked out cold, leaving him to survey the land. The power to the ship returned, all systems were a go again. The reading systems informed him the planet's air is breathable, and could only be described as a kind of "organic mass." Kyle failed science both in school and in the Jedi Temple, so his knowledge of such a term didn't exist.
"I better wake Ahsoka up... or Anakin... or Depa... any of the three probably know what 'organic mass' means." He figured. "Master..." He slowly approaches her. Her eyes still sore, causing great distress.
"I can't see." She confesses, remaining calm the whole time. It is Kyle who is on the verge of panic. "The light must've done this."
"Are you going to get your vision back?"
"I do not know. We'll wait and see."
"How can you be so calm? You're a Jedi, you need to see in order to fight!" Kyle babbled, on the verge of breaking down. Meanwhile, Depa held all the confidence in the universe on her shoulders.
"You have a lot to learn, young one. Where are we?"
"Our systems doesn't know. The computer said we're on a giant organic mass. What does that mean?"
"It means we're in a natural environment. Wherever we are, it's best we traverse the land carefully." She advises. "Go check on Ahsoka, I'll wake up Skywalker."
"How about I take care of that?" He offers.
"The Force is all the vision I need." She replies, walking towards Anakin without bumping into the chair in her way. At a loss for words, he didn't say anything and did as he was told. "Perhaps it's best if we survey the land. Do not go very far."
"Ugh, what happened?" Ahsoka holds her head, feeling the same throbbing pain as Kyle did.
"I don't know. We passed out is my guest. My master is checking on yours."
"Is Anakin okay?" Kyle looks behind his shoulder to see Skywalker in decent shape.
"A blinding light is far from enough to keep him down." He smiles, offering her a hand to get back up. "My master says we should explore the area."
"Sounds a bit odd." She contested. "Wouldn't the reading systems have information on this planet?"
Kyle shakes his head. "It's drawing a blank." The corner of his eyes witnessing a small flower withering in the sunlight, it's pedals falling one by one, before retreating into the soil and to ultimately return to its blossoming state. "Did you see that?" He asks Ahsoka.
"Yes." She was equally speechless. "Call me insane, but I don't think that's normal."
"It's most certainly not."
The whole planet was capable of regeneration of its soil, unfolding like a storybook. The bright grass instantly replacing the sorrowful dead dirt, the withering trees returning to their outstanding status. It both mesmerized and scared Kyle what this place was capable of.
"Ahsoka, I have the feeling this is going to be one of those adventures where we have no idea what's happening." Kyle confesses. "This is all beyond the understanding of the Jedi. Not even my master could explain it."
"We'll be fine, remain vigilant and take notes."
"I don't have a data pad."
"Then take mental notes!"
An angelic, yet firm voice caused the teens to turn around. Her radiant glow outshining the sun and the clear blue sky she is under. "Are you the one?" She asks, baffling the two Padawans.
"The one?" Kyle isn't sure what she means.
"The one Father speaks of. The one who'll bring balance to the Force?"
"You mean Anakin?" Kyle ventured. "What do you want with him?"
"Is he the Chosen One?" Stricken by shock at an outsider knowing the ancient Jedi prophecy, Ahsoka ignited her weapon.
"How do you know?"
"Uh, Ahsoka..." Kyle didn't follow suit, believing Ahsoka was making a miscalculation.
"There is no need for such crude weaponry here." With a mere flick of her wrist the blade retracted. "I am not here to harm you, I want to assist you in your travels. Come with me and I will take you to him."
"Wait..." Kyle calls out to her, but the woman is already on her way. "We don't even have Anakin..."
"I'm not following her." Ahsoka tells him.
"We kind of need to." He retorts.
"No we don't."
"Yeah, we do. "This is where the distress signal came from, and besides, we're not learning anything looking at plants regenerate. Might as well." She still is unsure.
"This is a trap." She sighs.
"Don't be so pessimistic. Tell Anakin so he can meet up with us."
Ahsoka tried to contact her master through her com-link, except the reception was poor and all she heard was static.
"No luck?"
"Yes. But you're right, let's follow her." Kyle smirks at Ahsoka, able to tell there is some internal distress she has about taking his advice. "What?"
"Go ahead, 'Soka. Say it."
Ahsoka rolled her eyes, Kyle could be such a dope sometimes. "I have a bad feeling about this."
(Scene break)
Skywalker and Depa walked shoulder to shoulder, his attention was more keyed on keeping the Jedi Master out of harms way than the oddities of the planet. "Skywalker, perhaps it is best you keep your eyes forward and take in the scenery."
"I'm sorry." Even though he's a Jedi Knight, well into adulthood, his relationships towards higher ranking officials often made him feel like he was still that child who won a pod race on Tatooine.
"You do not trust me in my current state, do you?" Anakin remains silent. "You and my Padawan share the same fear."
In an effort to shift the conversation, Anakin starts to notice the rapidly changing scenery. "The seasons change by the passing day." He explains. "And I haven't seen an animal despite clearly being in the jungle."
"Do you feel it too?" Depa asks, Anakin instantly knowing what she's referring to nods.
"The Force is stronger here, I can feel it pulsating through me."
"That is the unprecedented power you always wield, be careful."
"Master- we need-" Anakin's com-link faded in and out, the audio scathing the ears. "Ahsoka?" He called to her to no avail. "What's going on here?"
"I don't know. I've found myself saying that a lot lately."
"It's tough lacking knowledge, maybe if gig walk around some more you'll find it." Anakin cranes his neck up to see a lanky, pear head shaped individual with red eyes resting easily on a thick tree branch.
"And who are you?" Anakin asks.
"Who am I? I'm many things. But what I am isn't important, why I am here is. My Father wishes your company. Come." He turns around to leave, only the Jedi remain in place. "I said come!" He pounces, transforming himself into a creature resembling a goblin and snatching them up.
"Did you retrieve them?" An elder asks his son. "Yes, father." The Son replies obediently, his tone no longer carrying the menacing veneer. "Why are they subdued?"
"They resisted your will, father. Forgive me for taking it personal." The Son bit his tongue, staying kneeled down his eyes focused on the marble floors. "I can't stand it when you're disrespected."
"You don't earn respect by having thin skin, my son. You're far too aggressive."
"But, you said it was a must to bring the Jedi here."
"Yes. Here they are, you're missing two of them."
The Son's eyes move up to face his father, his long white beard illuminates the darkened throne room, it's only source of light being a blue flame lit in the background. "Your daughter can find the others. It is likely we don't even need them."
"We cannot do the test without them. The Chosen One needs to be tested to the fullest extent, absolutely no loose ends can be afforded."
"You're so sure of your test, what difference does it make if all four of them are here?"
"They are a liability to mucking up the process." Father answers. He promptly frees the two Jedi. "Forgive my son for his aggression, I still have much to teach him."
"Why did you bring us here?" Anakin asked.
"All questions will be answered in due time. You're under distress, I suggest the both of you rest and we'll reconvene in the morning." Anakin looks behind him to see it is nightfall. "I do not recommend staying outside. The night can be chaotic in this world." Facing little options, the Jedi accept the offer of lodging.
Depa didn't speak, she felt the time for questions would present itself in the near future. For now, it's best they rest. Skywalker couldn't sleep, tossing on his little area with only a thin blanket to keep him warm. Billapa managed, which irked Skywalker to a degree. Her poise in this predicament baffled the young Jedi Knight. It simply didn't make sense to exude such calm. Even Obi-Wan reacted accordingly when thrown out of his comfort zone.
"It helps if you count sheep." Depa smirks to herself.
"Very funny."
"I try to be."
The thunder outside crackles, assaulting their eardrums and the rainfall was relentless. On Tatooine, the rare rainy nights provided Anakin with enough aid to sleep like a newborn. The pitter patter of rainfall against the synstone roof, it's cold substance wiggling through the cracks to leak out. Anakin decided to count some sheep to take his mind off the outside noise, his eyelids became heavier, his head lighter. Finally, he feel into a slumber, erasing the tension for his body for the time being.
(Scene break)
"Did you find her?" Ahsoka asks Kyle. It's been hours since they lost Daughter and they've wandered this planet, apparently it's name is Mortis, ever since.
"No." He groans. "I don't want to hear it." He could tell by the look on her face she was about to rip into him for yet another bad idea of his leading them astray.
"We should have stayed with the ship." She tells him.
"You know what, fine. Let's head back there then." The crackles of lightning connecting to the soil gave them pause. A nearby tree caught on fire and fell over instantly. "Maybe when the rain stops is the best time to go." Kyle figured.
"There's a cave over there." Ahsoka points. Walking inside their vision is overtaken by bright crystals lodged into the rocks and walls. He was tempted to touch, but remembered due to the oddities of this planet it'll likely trigger some horrific, unintended action.
"I'm growing to hate this place." Kyle sighs.
"Jedi can't hate." Ahsoka reminds him.
"Okay, let me rephrase that. I hate you." He jabs at her playfully. "Did you try reaching Anakin?"
"Still no answer. What about Depa?"
"Same. It's almost like this place is screwing with our tech."
"Probably because it is."
"Did you catch what Daughter said earlier?" He inquired. "About where she was planning on taking us?"
"She spoke of somebody named 'Father', and her people are the beginning, middle and end."
"That doesn't sound right." Kyle wasn't convinced. "I get this feeling she's a charlatan."
"No. I believe she is who she says she is." Ahsoka retorts.
"Okay, then what is she?"
After a brief pause Ahsoka confesses she does not know. Another crackle of the lightning captures their attention. "It's bad out there." Kyle notices. "I hope this clears up." He goes into his backpack to pull out two ration bar and hands one to Ahsoka. "I have coconut and raisin." He offers.
"Raisin." She takes one of the bars. "Say, hand me those binoculars." A shining light in the distance caught her eye. Soon, she found it sat atop of an impressive monastery many clicks away from their current position. "I see something. Maybe that's where our friend went." She hands Kyle the binoculars so he too can see.
"You want to do that or do you want to head back to the ship and call for help?" Kyle asks.
"We could do both, but separating on a planet like this isn't wise." Kyle agreed. "We were told to check this place out. We're already so far from the ship, might as well go further."
"Ah, pragmatic Ahsoka. A rare sight." He jokes.
"Shut up."