Chapter 9: Finale part 1
Madeline thumbed through a book she got from the library that morning, searching frantically for something. Yin watched silently from her spot on her dresser while munching on a piece of caramel. Michael was supposed to be there but he and Selma were helping out at the school for the dance. Madeline was supposed to be there but…she felt like she needed to do some sudden research.
The young brunette didn't know why she needed the sudden urge to do research but it went hand in hand with the bad feeling she suddenly got when her mother mentioned helping out with the decorations. Her gut twisted, her stomach dropped her feet, and her heart started to race as adrenaline started to rush through her body. It was the strangest thing but Madeline dismissed the feelings as soon as she got to the library. She randomly picked a topic (ancient Japan) before checking out every single book she could. Some of them were in languages she didn't even know but Madeline just thumbed through them quickly, her eyes barely scanning the pages.
"Are you okay Madeline?" Yin suddenly asked. Madeline wordlessly shook her head before tossing the book back into the stack with the others before standing up and pacing.
"I don't know what's wrong Yin," Madeline insisted. She threw a couple of punches suddenly before returning to pacing. "I just feel hyped and on alert for some reason."
"Maybe you should go and help your brother and mother out at the school," the peacock kwami proposed. Madeline stopped pacing before grabbing her jacket, purse, communicator, phone, brooch, keys and light saber as she went around the room. The brunette held her purse open for Yin, who immediately got comfortable inside. Madeline swiftly made her way down the stairs, switching all the lights off before heading out the front door.
The young Padawan ran all the way to the school. By the time she got there, she felt back to normal but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing straight up, as if the air was supercharged with electricity. Madeline just scratched the back of her neck before walking in the front of the building.
And glancing around, Madeline made the judgment that she arrived just in time to help.
By the looks of things, the students and chaperones had gotten most everything in place and set up…. except for the large globs of paint that were dripping on practically everything. From the look of the colorful starburst in the middle of the gym floor, Madeline safely made the assumption that a paint bomb went off. She had to hold in a cackle when she caught sight of Marinette, Alya, Adrien, Nino, Master Selma and Michael all covered in brightly colored paint. There were teachers running around like chickens with their heads chopped off trying to get everything cleaned up and save the decorations. Mademoiselle Bustier was helping the splattered group get cleaned off.
"Wow," Madeline exclaimed as she approached the group. They all looked up simultaneously to see a snickering Madeline. "Apparently I got here just in time."
"Apparently," Michael agreed sarcastically. He tried to duck away from Selma who had tried to wipe some of the paint away with a baby wipe. Madeline suddenly lurched forward as someone ran into her from behind. She landed painfully on her hands and knees but other than that, she was fine.
"Oh god! Are you okay?" a smooth, deep voice asked. Before she could answer, two strong hands lifted her up gently and Madeline came face to face with a god among mortals. The boy's face was beautifully chiseled, his jaw line sharp and the perfect amount of freckles sprayed across his perfect nose. His midnight black hair was buzz cut, like many of the clones during the clone wars. The stranger's emerald green eyes sparkled in the midday light. If Madeline turned her head ever so slightly she could see flecks of yellow in his eyes.
The boy's body wasn't bad looking either. His arms had bulging muscles that poked out from beneath his American Flag shirt. He had a lithe, but very well muscled body and his tanned, muscled legs peeked out from holes that his jeans had. When the boy smiled at her, there was a flash of pure white teeth. Madeline suddenly felt a blush flare up when she realized that she was staring.
She nervously giggled as the boy asked his question again. "Yeah, you're fine. Uh I mean I'm fine! And obviously you're fine but am I rambling?" At everyone's nod, Madeline's blush got deeper. "Oh boy."
"It's all good. I kinda wasn't watching where I was going." After staring at each other for a few moments he asked, "So are you new here?"
"Oh no, I'm just here to help with the decorations. My name is Madeline by the way." Madeline answered. She gestured to her paint splattered brother and master. "This is my twin brother Michael and my mother Selma". The waved at the boy, though they both seemed a little…on edge. The boy just waved back. "So what's your name?"
"Cole Branusz," He introduced. "If you're here to help with decorations mind helping me with this banner?"
"Sure!" Madeline answered with too much enthusiasm. She cleared her throat and answered nonchalantly, "Sure."
"Great." Cole grabbed her hand and dragged her over to the stairwell.
"So who's Cole?" Madeline asked on her and Marinette's break. The brunette handed the bluenette a glass of lemonade. The designer took a sip before answering.
"I don't know honestly. He just arrived today. Apparently he's a transfer student from the States."
Madeline quirked an eyebrow at that. "But I thought that it was too late in the year to except new students."
"I did too," Marinette commented. "But apparently Chloe forced Monsieur Damocles to put him in the system. He's kinda cute, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Madeline agreed dreamily. Then she realized what she just said and how she said it. Master Selma would never let her have a boyfriend. The woman was still stuck on the old ways of doing things. But still….
"Don't you have a crush on Adrien?" Madeline asked suddenly. Marinette turned bright red before Madeline elbowed her jokingly. "Don't worry Marinette. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thanks." Marinette said.
"So how did my twin and mother get completely covered in paint?"
Marinette giggled. "Alex had this crazy idea for a paint bomb, so we could paint the gym faster. Something or other went wrong and the bomb went off prematurely, covering everything in paint. Unfortunately your brother mother, Alya, Adrien, Nino, and I were close to it when it went off."
"Oh." Madeline commented. "That explains a lot."
The rest of the afternoon was spent clearing off the dried paint from the walls. Madeline found that Cole was both strong and very witty. Almost Chat Noir witty. She found herself cackling to every joke that Cole cracked. Her mother and brother threw wary glances over at her and the young boy every so often but soon returned her attention to what they were doing. It was a pretty busy afternoon for everyone and as soon as everyone was finished, Marinette's mother, Sabine, brought over cookies for everyone. It was during that break that Madeline found out Cole's favorite cookie was dark chocolate chip.
"So you're from the US?" Madeline asked as she took a bite from a macaroon.
"Yeah. My dad came here for a job offer." Cole answered slowly.
"What do your parents do?"
"Well in all honesty it's just me, my dad and grandfather." The boy answered. "My dad's sort of like the CEO of a huge corporation that controls just about everything."
"Oh cool."
"What does your mom do?" Cole asked.
Help a rebellion, Madeline thought cynically. Out loud she answered, "She's a full time dojo instructor."
"Really?" Cole asked surprised. Before they could continue to ask each other questions, Nino ran up to them and asked Cole for help with setting up the DJ station. The boy agreed to before walking off with the dark-skinned DJ. Madeline smiled softly to herself as she watched him walk off. Michael slid next to her suddenly, startling her.
"What?" she demanded when she caught his suspicious glance.
"That boy-"
"His name is Cole," Madeline interrupted.
"That boy," Michael continued, "He seems….I don't know very….curious about our little family."
"Well we just met," the brunette argued. "Of course he wants to know about my family life. I want to know about his family life too!"
"But don't you think his answers are a little vague?" Michael continued to annoy her with the questions and suspicions.
"Why don't you just go and slack off somewhere?" Madeline ordered. Her voice was nearing that deadly edge that many would've quaked in fear, but her brother, who was used to it, just narrowed his eyes. "You seem to slack off pretty well."
"I'm trying to look out for you Mads-" Michael started to say but Madeline cut him off again.
"You are butting into my life, which is exactly what the Council did when I was charged with a decent looking young senator. And you know what? I'm tired of it. So stay out of this! My life is none of your business!" With that, Madeline stormed out of the school. The brunette let her feet carry her all over town before ending up in the park across from the dojo. There was an air of irritability around her but she forced it down after a couple of calming breaths.
"Don't worry Madeline," Yin soothed from her hiding spot. "I'm sure your brother is just looking out for you. Like a good brother. "
"Yeah but why does he have to act like he's jealous or something?" Madeline inquired. She sighed and glanced at the sun. The orb was touching the top of the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of hope and a testament against time. Just like the Jedi Order used to be. And just like the Rebellion will be.
Madeline's phone vibrated in her pocket. Yin giggled as it tickled her back. The brunette smiled and rolled her eyes slightly as she reached in and pulled the device out. She read the text message from her mother. Selma had to meet with some people to discuss a deal about some old ships for the rebellion so the twins were going to be on their own for the night, quite possibly until noon Friday. Madeline replied and slipped the phone into her pocket. Standing, the brunette made her way across the street. When she stepped through the threshold however, the anxiousness feeling returned.
"Oh boy," she muttered. Slowly she made her way towards her room. She avoided looking at her brother's room but she knew that eventually, they would have to make up. Madeline approached the door and rapped her knuckles on the door softly. The door opened to reveal a very irritated Michael. The irritated look deepened when the coffee brown-eyed boy caught his sister staring at him timidly.
"Hey, listen I'm really sorry for snapping at you earlier," she apologized.
Almost by magic, the irritated look vanished and the boy smiled. He ruffled his sister's hair much to her dismay as he said, "It's all good. I apologize for getting too deep into your business. I guess I got a little overprotective."
"That's an understatement," Madeline muttered under her breath. Her brother seemed to catch that.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Oh nothing." The female twin brushed it off. "Are you still going to the dance?"
"Absolutely," he answered. "Want pizza? Selma left some money here for several boxes."
"Sure. Why don't you go and get it?" she suggested. At her brother's questioning glance Madeline answered, "I have to do some meditation."
Michael nodded and left the dojo, leaving Madeline and Yin alone. The brunette and kwami went into the personal dojo on the second floor. Madeline sat in a lotus position, took a deep breath and plunged deep into the Spiritual Plane….
-Line break-
Cole Branusz carefully and meticulously picked the lock to the Collège Françoise-Dupont. His tongue was ever so slightly sticking out as he glanced around. The boy's double bladed light saber hung across his back, the hilt glinting in the moonlight. He smiled when he heard the lock click and the door easily swung open.
He was in.
The mysterious raven-haired boy strode into the school as if it belonged to him. He smiled evilly when he spotted the banner the filthy Jedi and he hung earlier that day. His plan was coming together rather perfectly.
Cole was only fourteen but he was Lord Vader's best apprentice. Aside from the Grand Inquisitor of course but as soon as he came of age he was going to challenge that upstart Pau'an male. And win. There was obviously a ton of in fighting among the Inquisitors but as long as the Emperor or Lord Vader didn't see it was fine. Every since being assigned to hunting down rogue Jedi Cole has been just dying for a chance to prove himself to his Master.
Maybe…just maybe if he killed Selma Turon and her little Padawans then Lord Vader would take Cole under his wing. Then the two Siths could destroy the Emperor and rule the entire galaxy.
The thought of being Prince of an entire galaxy caused an evil, face splitting smile to slowly form on Cole's face. But he shook his dreams out of his mind and focused on the task at hand. The young Inquisitor slowly and stealthily made his way towards the Principal's office where he was planning to spring his trap Saturday. Cole slowly opened the door to the office, before glancing around, scowling. Maybe he would have to rethink where he sprung his trap.
The principal's office, though cluttered and tight enough where if he surprised the girl she wouldn't be able to fight back easily, had large windows that faced the dance floor. The natives would see everything!
"Okay so the principal's office won't work. Guess I've to find somewhere else to finish the Jedi off." Cole muttered to himself. The young Sith quietly made his way back downstairs. He stood in the middle of the courtyard and stared up at the rows of classroom windows that faced him. Cole's sneer was absolutely terrifying. There was no where he could kill the Jedi in private.
Then a thought crossed his mind.
With renewed vigor Cole force jumped to the railing and ran all the way to detention. His sneer deepened when he noticed the perfect vantage point the room held. The boy pulled out a mini droid and activated it.
"Scan the room," the Sith ordered. The droid complied without hesitation and soon Cole had the inner workings of the room at his fingertips.
No large windows facing the soon to be dance floor, the walls seemed to be insulated so the Jedis' screams wouldn't draw attention, and it was far enough from the dance floor that there wouldn't be any risk of anyone wondering away from the dance and stumbling onto his little…. experiment.
Now to get everything in order. Cole pulled out his disposable cell phone that his Master gave him and dialed Madeline Moraes's phone.
Everything is coming together as planned…
-Line break-
Madeline was so deep into her meditation that she didn't hear her phone ring until Yin pulled at her hair. The brunette opened her coffee brown eyes and scowled at the little blue fairy but the scowl vanished when she spotted the cell phone the little thing was struggling to hold up. The young Padawan took it from Yin and glanced at the screen. Her brows shot up in surprise.
It was….Cole Branusz!
Madeline pressed the answer button and held it up to her ear. "Hello?"
"Is this Madeline Moraes?" Oh Force, the boy's voice was even softer on the cell phone.
"Yes," the girl answered slowly. Saucily. "And this is Cole Branusz the very nice boy that I met earlier this afternoon. What can I do for you?"
"I was just wondering if you were going to the dance this Saturday," the boy asked.
"Of course I'm going," Madeline answered, sounding a little indignant.
"Well if you are not going with anyone else, I was wondering…." Madeline couldn't help but giggle softly at how nervous the boy sounded. Earlier, he sounded so confident. But the young Padawan smiled slightly at his politeness and politely cut him off before he embarrassed himself further.
"If you're asking me to the dance," Madleine said slowly. "Then I would love to go with you."
On his side, Madeline heard the boy sigh with relief. "Great. I'll pick you up at six thirty?"
"Sounds great."
"Okay. See you then."
"See you then," Madeline agreed. They both hung up at the same time. The young Padawan allowed herself a moment to process what just happened before letting a squeal of happiness escape her mouth.
"HE ASKED ME TO THE DANCE!" She shouted happily to Yin, who watched her curiously. Madeline scooped up the little creature and started to dance with her kwami in her hands. The Padawan's laugh was contagious; Yin started to laugh happily along with her charge.
-Line break-
Back at the school, Cole smiled for another reason. The Padawan had actually believed that he had a crush on her, despite meeting her only that day. Oh how the Jedi had gotten soft! As the young Inquisitor was stuffing his cell phone in his pocket and made his way to leave, his communicator went off. Cole froze, his heart thundering with slight fear.
The only who would contact him during this mission is…him.
Taking a deep breath to calm his heart, Cole Branusz removed the communicator from his wrist and knelt before activating the comm. His master looked so threatening behind those lifeless eyes of his helmet. The Sith Lord's breathing apparatus sent chills down Cole's spine as he kept his eyes on the floor. Sweat rolled down his neck, despite his efforts.
"What news do you have to report?" the cyborg questioned smoothly.
"Lord Vader, I have set my trap for the Jedi," Cole answered. "It will only be a matter of time, my lord, before they are destroyed and I can move on to my next target."
Vader gave two puffs of air before speaking, "Excellent. When Turon and her Jedi brats are dealt with, head to the Christophsis and deal with the uprising."
"As you wish Master," Cole replied. If it was at all possible for him to sink lower, he would. The communication ended soon after, leaving a very worn out Inquisitor. The boy smiled despite himself. This was the first time that a meeting with his Master that didn't involve him being force choked. Cole subconsciously rubbed his neck.
Being force choked was the scariest thing in the universe. Invisible hands would cut off his airways. He knew that no matter how much he clawed at his throat, he would never remove those invisible hands until Vader decided to remove them. But when Cole was being force choked his natural instincts would kick in and he would uselessly claw at his throat. But thankfully, he had done things right this time around. Cole yawned as he exited out of the school. There wasn't anything else he could do until it was time to spring his trap.
He decided to walk around town to get a feel for the twists and turns if things go south. This city reminded him a little bit of Coruscant, his home planet and the capital of the Galactic Empire. While it was a little primitive and there was a stark absence of Imperial Storm troopers, the City of Love was almost like his home. Cole knew that the Empire came about by blood and he knew that the Emperor killed and tricked his way to the top but for some reason that didn't bother him at all. He was a Sith: a warrior that got what he wanted by any means necessary, either by trickery or murder. Or sometimes both. Cole knew, from studying the archives of the Jedi, that they were very void on the emotional level; almost similar to the droids they fought.
Cole waited for a moment at a random crosswalk that was near a bakery. His stomach growled when he realized that he hadn't eaten anything since lunch. And all he had was a ration bar. Which he ran out of. Joy. Luckily he picked several pockets before getting into the school so he had a couple hundred on him.
Bakery it is, he decided. He walked across the street towards the bakery, satisfied that it was still open. Cole opened the door and walked in. Almost immediately he was hit with the sickening scent of sugar and the almost unbearable bright light. Cole scowled as he perused the different goodies and treats that were on sale. There were cookies that were either decorated with color or plain ones. The ones that caused an eyebrow to go up were decorated like ladybugs and black cats. There were several cardboard cut outs of a young girl in a skintight red and black suit and a young man with blonde hair in a black leather cat outfit. Cole had to admit the boy's suit looked pretty cool, though the ears and tail would have to go. The sith inquisitor snapped a quick picture of it for reference right as a middle aged Chinese woman came out of the kitchen.
She smiled brightly as she asked, "Welcome to our bakery. Find anything you like or would you like to look a little longer?"
Cole sneered as he answered in a sickly sweet tone, "Actually I would like to place an order."
The woman's pure smile tightened when she heard his voice but her cheery voice never changed. "Of course. What would you like?"
"Two of each of these," he pointed to the black cat and ladybug cookies. As the woman got his order ready he couldn't help but ask with a jerk of his thumb, "So are they like heroes or something?"
The woman chuckled slightly. "Oh you must be new in town. Those are Ladybug and Chat Noir, the defenders of Paris. They watch over us like guardian angels. Although recently, they aren't the only two miraculous heroes who defend the city."
"Oh?"
"Two more popped up several weeks ago. Lady Peacock and Queen Bee, if I remember correctly." The woman gained a thoughtful look before shaking her head. "My daughter and I are currently working on cookies and cardboard cutouts to celebrate them."
"Interesting," Cole muttered. He paid for his Ladybug and Chat Noir cookies and left.
Sabine felt a chill snake up her spine as soon as the mysterious young man left. Something felt…. off about him. When he spoke, he had this smooth yet sickly sweet tone to it. One that caused Sabine to feel horrible both inside and out. But the warm and welcoming air in the bakery changed as soon as the young boy left. A cold, hatred and evil feeling were left behind as soon as he left the bakery. Sabine needed to close the store up and head upstairs. She needed some family time to get rid of the evil feeling.
Sighing Sabine Chen turned the open sign over, locked the doors and turned off the lights before heading upstairs.
-Line break-
Friday
Selma parked her rental car in the parking lot. She had spent the majority of the morning driving to Nice in order to meet an informant about ships, which the rebellion could use. That is until they hired some engineers. The informant had instructed her to meet him/her at an abandoned factory. The former Jedi Master had made sure her children knew where she was going to be at what time and had both her miraculous and light saber with her. The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky but the forecast predicted thundershowers that would last well into tomorrow.
The former Master walked slowly towards the building. But the sooner this meeting was over the sooner Selma could get home. The school dance was tomorrow evening and the children were going to want pictures of their first school formal. That thought caused her mind to drift over to the boy Madeline met yesterday while putting up decorations.
Cole Branusz. That boy was surrounded in a cloud of evil and hatred. And her young Padawan was completely infatuated with the young man. Selma shook her head as she entered the warehouse. The thoughts about the boy possibly being an inquisitor vanished as she was going to need all her concentration for this meeting. There could be a possible ambush waiting for her.
When she stopped in the middle of the warehouse floor, a spotlight of sun coincidently falling on her, Selma's emerald green eyes scanned the darkness surrounding her. In front of her a hooded figure appeared out of nowhere. There was a presence with her; she could feel it. But it wasn't a dark feeling like with a Sith. It was a light, bright feeling like a summer sun but with a cool breeze accompanying it. Selma knew that force signature like she knew her own body.
"Ahsoka Tano?" She asked. The hooded figure smiled. She reached up and shoved the hood off. The young Togruta's face had changed from the last time Selma had seen her. Her lekku had grown slightly longer and her facial markings had stretched with her face. Instead of an eggplant version of Madeline's training clothes, Ahsoka wore an outfit of varying shades of grey. Two long sabers were attached at the hip.
"Master Selma," Ahsoka bowed deeply. The two embraced each other. Selma was careful of the longer sensitive appendages. Ahsoka pulled back and smiled at the Jedi Master, her blue eyes twinkling with happiness. "It has been a long time Master Selma."
"Too long, yes," Selma agreed. She examined the former Padawan. "You have done well for yourself. Leading a rebellion is a big job."
"I know." Ahsoka chuckled. She gestured to a table with boxes as chairs. Selma nodded and followed the former Padawan of the Chosen One. "I am just grateful that there are still those loyal to the Galactic Republic and the Jedi still in the Senate."
"So, shall we get down to business?" Selma proposed. At Ahsoka's nod she continued, "How do we supply the troops that we are going to have in the rebellion with ships such a command ship and attackers?"
"I have several senators lined up to pay for several ships," Ahsoka explained. "Unfortunately, since the Emperor's taxes has made it impossible for us to make an entire fleet. There is a possibility that we can make a considerable amount including a command ship."
"That is understandable but I am sure there are people who will graciously give us some donations," Selma hypothesized. "Of course there is the question of those who wish to see the rebellion fall. We need to have certain safety protocols in order to keep the rebellion safe."
"Those will be discussed at the meeting that will be held on Easter Monday," Ahsoka informed her. "Or at least that is what your Padawans said."
Selma hummed in thought as she stroked her chin, a habit that she picked up from Yoda. The twins had probably forgot to mention that little plot point…. but they had so much to think about.
"I guess that we will discuss that at the meeting," Selma muttered. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes; "I fear that there is a snake already in our Garden of Eden."
"Really?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes." Selma felt troubled all of the sudden. "Yesterday a young man by the name of Cole Branusz appeared. He was surrounded by the Dark Side of the Force. I want to believe that it is just my imagination and I miss the battlefield but…are you okay?"
Ahsoka's face had gone pale during her story. Her crystal blue eyes were wide and her mouth was half way open. The Togruta's hands were clenched on the table's ledge so tight that her knuckles were tight and Selma was afraid the table was going to break.
"Are you sure his name was Cole Branusz?" Ahsoka muttered after another moment of her looking like she was having an anxiety attack.
"Yes." Selma hesitantly answered. She cocked an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Sources say that he is one of the inquisitors that is under the apprenticeship of the Emperor." Ahsoka answered. Selma felt the ground open up around her as her heart thundered in her chest. So she wasn't imagining the dark side swirling around the boy like a hurricane. And now Madeline was going to be going on a date with the…. inquisitor.
Selma had gotten a text message from Michael saying that Cole asked her out to the dance.
"I need to get back to Paris," Selma muttered as she stood and exited the building. But she stopped when she realized that she left the young warrior staring at her curiously. She turned around and firmly ordered, "You need to leave now. Otherwise the rebellion would not even get off the ground and everyone associated with it and their families will die."
Ahsoka nodded and stood smoothly. She bowed deeply before saying, "May the Force with you and your twins Master Selma."
Before Selma could acknowledge or repeat it, Ahsoka turned and left. The former Council Member watched the young woman leave before sighing sadly and leaving. She pulled out her phone, dialing Michael's number, but he wasn't answering.
"Selma?" ZeeZee asked.
The Jedi Master turned to the kwami before cranking the car. She pulled out of the parking lot before merging onto the highway. She prayed with all her might that she could get home before the dance….