Chapter 11 – Into the Darkness

Author's Note: In which... bad things happen, and good things, too. :) xD

~ Amina Gila

They don't have time for this. Anakin lands the ship back on the platform in Iego where he and Obi-Wan went to try and find a cure for the virus. Every time anyone tries to leave, a laser field is activated around the planet, and they need to find a way to get past it. But thanks to the vulture droids that are still on the planet from the time the Separatists were here, he has an idea.

Before he can say anything to Obi-Wan, a hologram flickers on. Ahsoka is leaning against Padme for support, barely managing to remain upright. Her skin is turning a deathly gray. Theseus stands on Padme's other side, leaning against the controls, and he looks in no better condition than Ahsoka, even over the blue-shaded hologram.

Anakin's blood runs cold. They're dying. If he and Obi-Wan can't get out of this mess soon, they'll get back too late. He'd fail his padawan and the boy he hardly got time to know. And Rex.

"Master, can you hear me?" Ahsoka asks weakly. She continues talking, but it's too quiet to make out the words.

"Artoo, amplify the signal," Anakin orders. The droid whistles, plugging itself into the wall and doing as instructed.

"... destroyed all the battle droids inside the compound, Master," she continues.

"Naboo is safe from further contamination," Padme adds, "I repeat, Naboo is safe. Promise me that no one will ever open this bunker."

With that the hologram promptly disappears. Padme is alright, but everyone else is dying. The virus kills in 48 hours, and it's already been a long time. Add in the rest of the fight to get off planet and hyperspace travel, and they'll barely make it. Anakin jumps out of his seat and sprints towards the door, struggling desperately to resist the urge to cry. He was too late with his mother. He can't let Ahsoka, Theseus, and Rex face the same fate.

"We'll borrow a power converter from Jaybo and reprogram it to feed our –" he begins to ramble.

"Slow down, Anakin," cuts in Obi-Wan.

"Slow down?!" he snaps, "You saw them, Master. They're dying!"

"A great leap forward often requires first taking two steps back," he insists.

"And sometimes all it requires is the will to jump," Anakin retorts. He's not going to waste a minute right now. Lives are depending on them.

**w**

Theseus leans against a crate, next to Ahsoka. They're seated back in the safe room, even if it's pointless by now. It's not going to help anything.

He's not sure if he'd be able to stand even if he tried anymore. But he does know that they're almost out of time. He feels so weak, and his temperature has risen to dangerously high levels. Even so, he clings to the belief his master will figure something out.

"I hope that their sacrifice brings us closer to peace," Padme says quietly as she attends to one of the clones, several of the others already having gone unconscious. Theseus is pretty sure they aren't going to make it. The only reason he's holding on is because he's a Jedi, he's certain of that. Jedi can tolerate far more than most people. He's surprised Rex is still conscious. It's probably only because he was wearing his helmet in the beginning, while the other clones had already taken off their own. It protected him for a short while.

Then again, he's not sure any of them are going to make it. "It will, Padme," Ahsoka finally speaks up, "You must believe that –" She trails off, collapsing into unconsciousness.

"Ahsoka!" Padme and Theseus cry in unison, as he hastily moves to catch her before she can hit the ground. Panic surges inside of him. Is it already too late? He can feel that she's still breathing right now, but for how long? He wraps his arms around Ahsoka's limp form, knowing that this might be the last time he ever does. They might die here, but at least it'll be together.

He's already beginning to feel dizzy. The last thing he hears is someone calling his name as everything suddenly blacks out.

**w**

Images dance before his eyes. Revan in his armor, fighting a group of people. Judging from their armor, they look to be Mandalorian. He advances on them, easily cutting his way through the group, killing everyone in his path. Theseus can feel the darkness, the cold, even if it's not really here.

Theseus can only watch with growing horror as Revan reaches out, one hand closing into a fist and the remaining Mandalorians still alive are lifted off the ground in a Force choke. The sickening sound of their necks snapping chills him to the bone. How could someone do that? He doesn't understand. How could someone kill with no remorse like that?

The masked figure suddenly turns to face Theseus as he suddenly finds himself in the vision instead of watching it from outside. "It is your destiny to become to like me."

Theseus jolts awake, looking wildly around. A shudder runs through him as he bolts upright with a start. It – that... no. He couldn't have meant it. There's no way he could do things like that, be like that. The white walls of the room he's in leave him slightly disoriented until memories of when he lost consciousness fade back in.

He and Ahsoka were dying, and – where even is he? Pushing back the images from his nightmare, he tries to focus on his surroundings, finally realizing that he's in a medcenter somewhere. Which means that Obi-Wan and Anakin must have gotten back with the antidote for the virus in time after all. Unless this is some sort of afterlife, and he does not believe that in the least.

He hastily pushes himself up, looking around the room. Obi-Wan is standing near his bed, looking over a datapad. One bed further down from his own, he sees Ahsoka lying in the bed, either still unconscious or sleeping. "You're awake?" Obi-Wan asks, looking up.

He glances back over at his best friend for a moment before turning back to his master. "How's Ahsoka?"

"She'll be fine," Obi-Wan replies, "She woke up a little while ago, but you both have to stay in bed. You've been through quite the ordeal." He's tempted to argue for a moment and insist that he's fine, but really, he's not sure he even wants to get out of bed right now. And he'd rather stay by Ahsoka anyway. He can't shake the image from earlier, of her collapsing unconscious into his arms.

"Yes, Master," he says instead and reluctantly lays back down. Even so, he can't bring himself to go back to sleep. His nightmare from earlier – and the fact that he and Ahsoka nearly died – are lingering at the front of his mind. He's not sure how long it is before Obi-Wan gets up and leaves the room, but he's still wide awake.

It is your destiny to become to like me. The words echo through his mind again. No, he's never going to do that. He won't use the Dark Side. He won't... become a killer. A part of him wonders if he already is, with the war going on. He doesn't want to sleep. Not if he starts seeing things like that again.

The door opens again and Anakin quietly steps into the room. He moves over to sit next to Ahsoka in almost complete silence, and Theseus has no doubt he wouldn't even realize the Knight was there if he wasn't awake. Anakin stops before sitting, eyes landing on Theseus. "Still awake, huh?" he asks quietly.

"I can't sleep," he mumbles, looking away. He doesn't want to risk it, but he can't stay up. Even if he was cured from the virus, it doesn't mean he's fully healed yet.

Anakin moves over to him after a pause, taking a seat beside him. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," he replies automatically.

"You seem restless," Anakin remarks, watching him.

"Maybe a little. I've had a hard time sleeping since the war started."

"Everyone has."

Theseus wonders for a passing moment if he should mention something about his visions to anyone. They're highly disturbing, and he thinks something might be wrong. It's strange. Like he formed some sort of... connection with Revan in the cave, except that doesn't make any sense.

"Where'd you get that droid, anyway?" Anakin asks, scooting closer to BD. "He's come in pretty handy."

"A friend. Someone I know from the underworld of Coruscant."

The Knight looks mildly amused. "You go there?"

"It's more like the lower levels," Theseus explains hastily. "He's taught me a lot about droids."

"Ever built one yourself?"

"I've helped him build before," the padawan replies, suddenly grateful for Anakin's presence. The lingering images of his vision have faded to the back of his mind.

"Well, if you ever want, I can teach you," he offers. "With Ahsoka."

A part of Theseus is surprised by the offer. Anakin hadn't been happy with him around at first, but he's already become so accepting. He's trying now, and a tentative hope lingers in his eyes, and it's not anything Theseus is about to refuse. Besides, how could he decline a chance to spend more time with the Chosen One? "Sure."

**w**

It's late evening as Theseus makes his way through the under levels of Coruscant, heading for Vraz's shop. He's almost there when he hears sirens. Police sirens.

What in the world is going on? The unsettled feeling that's been bugging him all day, even though he tried to ignore it, surges again. He quickens his pace as he hurries around another corner, finally turning onto the last street that leads to the shop.

People are rushing about. Suddenly he has the distinct feeling that something is very wrong. Pushing past the people milling about, Theseus runs over to the doorway of the shop.

He freezes at the sight in front of him. The entrance room to the shop is a disaster, looking very much like there was a fight from the numbers of things knocked over and damaged. But what sticks out most of all is the body lying in the middle of the room.

"Vraz!" the panicked cry escapes him as he bolts into the shop, running over to the motionless Twi'lek. The blaster wound is in his chest seems to practically glare back at him. "Vraz!" he cries again, dropping to his knees next to his friend and shaking his arm, trying in vain to get some response out of him.

But there's nothing. His arm moves limply under Theseus touch, already feeling cold. He frantically feels for a pulse anyway. Maybe, maybe it's not too late. Maybe... but still nothing. And that's what he notices strongest of all that even as he tries to reach out with the Force and for his relatively weak bond with the Twi'lek, he can't feel anything at all.

No. No. Let this be some terrible nightmare that he's going to wake up from any moment. Only days ago, Vraz was fine, and everything was normal. And now he's dead. Murdered in his own shop. Now, now... how can he be gone? He's always been there, whenever Theseus wanted to talk to someone who wasn't a Jedi. Or wanted to spend somewhere outside of the Temple when he was off a mission.

Yes, he's seen people die before, friends even – the clones. But this – this wasn't war. It should never have happened. Vraz was a civilian; he was supposed to be safe from things like this.

Theseus is not sure how long he's been sitting there, motionless, when the police droids finally show up. That finally semi-snaps him out of his haze, at least enough to answer the questions they have as they start looking around the place to figure out what happened.

"I want to know when you find a clue," states Theseus, as he stumbles for the door. He thinks his comm is beeping, but he doesn't have the care to answer it or even see who it is. He pauses briefly by the entrance to the shop, reaching down to pick up Vraz's custom blaster before he slips out the door into the now dark streets of Coruscant.

The main light is that of the police droids as they move about, trying to investigate. He knows he needs to get back to the Temple, but there's no way he has the energy for that right now. He slides to the ground, sinking back against a nearby building.

He's not sure how long it's been before he finally moves again, wiping his tear-streaked face on his sleeve. He feels hollow and empty inside, and part of him still wants to believe that when he gets up in the morning, this will have been a terrible nightmare. Why would someone even want to kill Vraz? Yes, he had debts and things... and there's so many criminals down here, but still. It's just... the Twi'lek was one of the kindest people Theseus has ever known. He didn't deserve this. He should have had better.

Through the pain stabbing through him, a certain sense of determination washes over him. Whoever did this, he's going to find them. And they will pay.

Really, he doesn't even have the energy to go back to the Temple right now, but he can hardly stay out here in the underworld all night, and everyone is probably getting worried. He shouldn't have stayed out this long.

Theseus slowly makes his way back to the Temple, slipping past the guards at the entrance mostly unnoticed as he heads for his and Obi-Wan's apartment. Maybe if he's lucky his master will still be in a Council meeting or have already gone to bed or something, and he won't have to face any questions tonight.

He finally turns into the last hall to approach his apartment, only to see his mother standing there, as though she's been waiting for him. And she looks worried.

"Theseus!" she exclaims, hurrying over to him, concern clear in her tone, "You were out late. And I sensed..." She tails off for a moment before continuing, "Come on. We should go inside." She motions him over to the door and he numbly enters the code, slipping into the apartment. It's empty, thankfully.

"What happened?" she asks softly as they sit down on the couch.

Oh. Right. Of course, she would have felt it. He's never been the greatest at shielding, and that was and is the same thing he was worrying about.

Theseus draws in a sharp breath at the question as the image of Vraz's motionless body swims in front of him. He thought he was done crying for the night – but he can't stop himself from breaking down again as he tells her the story.

"You can come over to my apartment for the night if you want," she says quietly, "I can explain what happened to Master Kenobi myself."

"... Sure," he agrees because he really does wants to stay with her right now. He doesn't care if anyone finds out who's not supposed to, and he gets in trouble. He doesn't care about anything at all right now, except that Vraz is dead.

**w**

The next morning comes far too quickly. Theseus slowly opens his eyes, staring dully at the early morning sunlight streaming in the window. The aching inside of him hasn't lessened at all. If anything, it's actually gotten worse, since now, it feels even more real than it did the night before.

How is he supposed to go on like this? He wants to curl back up in bed and pretend that everything is okay, but even if he tried, he'd never be able to. He'd lay there feeling it all anyway. Finally, he pushes himself up, glancing around the unfamiliar bedroom. It's the other one at his mother's apartment.

Last night, he may have been too lost in his grief to feel the anger, the bitterness, the fury that he's feeling towards whoever did this, but not anymore. Right now, all he wants is revenge, and he doesn't care that it's the Dark Side talking. That should probably scare him more than it does. Then again, it's not like he's ever been the best Jedi.

It's already late, so he's certain his mother has already left to attend to Council duties and giving classes. So, he's really not expecting it when he steps out of the bedroom into the main room of the apartment to see Ahsoka sitting on the couch, eyes focused on a datapad in her hands.

She looks up the moment he steps into the room. "Theseus!" she greets him, though he can see from the look on her face that she heard what happened. "I..." she pauses, suddenly seeming uncertain what to say, "Hope you slept okay," she finishes almost lamely.

"So, so," he answers, noncommittal, as he crosses the room and takes a seat next to her. "What are you doing here?" Even if he had the energy to care that someone realized he spent the night at his mother's apartment, he wouldn't care for Ahsoka anyway, since she already knows how close he and Athea are.

"Master Anakin said I could come over and make sure you were okay, and Master Shan didn't mind," she replies. He leans back against the couch, staring out the window, suddenly eternally grateful for her presence. He doesn't want to be alone right now, especially not when it feels like everyone else he cares about is going to disappear if he doesn't stay near them all the time.

She suddenly scoots closer, pulling him into a hug. "I'm sorry," she murmurs quietly. He can't bring himself to respond, especially when he's suddenly about to cry again, so he hugs her back tightly instead.

They sit there in silence for many long moments before Ahsoka eventually speaks again. "Hey, maybe we should go over to my master's apartment for now."

**w**

Obi-Wan is more than a little concerned over the recent turn of events. Athea Shan explained to him the details of the situation, and even two days later, Theseus seems overly withdrawn and subdued. He isn't surprised, but he's still worried. Athea seems equally concerned about it, which is why the two finally end up meeting privately to discuss the situation. With the war going on, it's not something they have much time to devote to, but he can't sit back and do nothing.

"We can't keep him out of this," Athea declares. "He won't rest until he finds the killer. Especially since the police already don't think they'll be able to locate him."

"My concern is how he will react when he does find the killer." He gets the feeling that what Theseus really wants right now is revenge, so he's not sure how good of an idea letting him go after the murderer will be. At least not until he's more stable again. But at the same time, it also seems like it's something he needs to do, before being able to let go.

"Perhaps one of us can go with him," she suggests. "Or have someone else who could."

"Someone he knows," Obi-Wan agrees. "Someone he can trust." He considers that for a few moments. Likely himself and Athea wouldn't have the time to spend finding the murderer with Theseus, considering that they're both on the Council. But he does know someone who probably would, and also who should be able to help the padawan. "Perhaps Anakin can go."

"If he's willing, that would be good," she agrees, "Anakin has much experience with darkness. He should be able to help."

Obi-Wan hopes it really is a good decision. After all, he knows better than anyone how Anakin can get when people he cares for are in danger.

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