Ahsoka, quickly walked to the ship, with Master Kenobi and Padme close on her heels. As soon as the duchess and her sister provided the information that they would need, Ahsoka downloaded the data that they would need to navigate to Malachor before heading towards the ship. In the distance she could hear Master Kenobi thanking the duchess for her hospitality, and her sister as well. She could hear Padme discussing how they should plan to meet up at a future date when there were fewer pressing matters to attend to.
"Here, R2." Ahsoka said while sliding into the co-pilot seat. "Take a look at these coordinates." She said. Ahsoka bent down and grabbed a cable to connect R2 to the data pad that was given to them. As she plugged him in, she heard footsteps behind her.
"Padawan," Master Kenobi said. Ahsoka braced herself for another lecture of his, about how she was being impatient, or not considerate enough. Her shoulders tensed and her montrails twitched.
"Has R2 been given the data yet?" He asked her with a straight face. Ahsoka felt her shoulders relax, and she sighed. "Not yet, but we're working on it." Ahsoka responded. R2 beeped an affirmative back at them, before heading over to the navigational console and began to input the coordinates.
In the distance, Anakin heard an old voice laugh. Each chuckle sent a shiver down his spine, each snicker dragged him further into the cold. Anakin fell to his knees, the poison running through his veins making everything feel pleasantly numb. He looked up and saw Maul heading towards the source of the light in the room. Saw him stretch his hand out, and heard the force scream. This is not meant for you.
He saw him try again, straining against the will of the force, and laughed. "This is not meant for you". He heard someone close by say. The voice sounded so familiar, yet so foreign… Anakin couldn't place who said it, but he had heard that voice speak before.
"What did you say, Skywalker?" Maul hissed at him; his voice full of venom. Anakin stared at Maul, his body warping and distorting with every breath he took. The voices around him from the shadows chanting a name. Lord Vader, Lord Vader. They surrounded him, each breath he took, the shadows filled his lungs, making him stronger. The cold, the pain, fueling him to get back up. Anakin rose, and stood to his full height. His eyes burned. His lungs burned. Each step was agony. But he was drawn to center of the room. Drawn to the source of power. Where Maul struggled, Anakin reached past him and grabbed the holocron.
"Master" Ahsoka said, her voice full of worry as she turned to face Master Kenobi.
"I know, I know" He said.
"What is it?" Padme asked tentatively.
"Something is wrong with Anakin." Master Kenobi said. He looked back at Padme. "He's still alive, but whatever is happening is… not good." He said while trailing off and looking out into hyperspace. Ahsoka shifted in her seat- it was just a feeling, but something told her that they were running out of time.
"Master, maybe I can reach out to him through the force?" Ahsoka said. Master Kenobi looked at her. He saw the eyes of a scared teenage girl, but also the determination and resolve of a seasoned warrior. She got up from the co-pilot seat, and sat behind Master Kenobi. Padme took over navigational control, and Ahsoka closed her eyes.
"Do what you think is best, Ahsoka." Master Kenobi said. She closed her eyes and focused on the bond that they shared. Focused on his muddled, distorted, life force. Breathe in, and then let go.
A bright flash of light illuminated the chamber. Anakin didn't shield his eyes. When the light died down, he found himself back in the halls of the jedi temple. He took a deep breath and tried to relax, but the scent that hit his nose was full of death and despair. Burning flesh and a waste of life. His confusion quickly turned to horror as he looked around and saw bodies littering the hallways. Jedi of all ages were slaughtered like animals. Bodies full of blaster marks filled the great hallways. He heard shouting coming from behind him and turned around. There, in the distance were clone troopers. He squinted his eyes to get a better look at the markings on their armor and then he realized, that these troops were from the 501st. His battalion of troopers. Anakin moved in a trancelike state past the ruined artwork and slaughtered jedi. The trooper's voices faded down the hall as the moved on, pursing whatever target they had been assigned to. He paused. Who was assigning them to be here in the temple?
Ahsoka sat up with a gasp. Padme jumped and turned around. "Are you alright Ahsoka?" She asked. "What happened?" Master Kenobi said softly. She tried to speak but no words would come to her mouth. All she could feel was the fear, the rage, the anger. But she didn't know why. She couldn't remember what she had seen.
"I-"she began before blinking tears out of her eyes and clearing her throat. "I'm not sure." She whispered.
"I'm not sure what I saw." She repeated while looking up at Master Kenobi. He and Padme exchanged a look.
"How are you feeling?" Padme asked her while placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ahsoka, you're shaking." She said, her voice full of concern.
"Scared." Ahsoka said. "I'm scared. I don't know what I saw, but it was bad. Really bad."
"We're going as fast as we can." Padme said. "He can make it through, whatever it is." She set her jaw. "He can do it."