The Mirror of Hatred by epithree

Entry THREE of 5 - High Riverbank

Mustafar

Jedi Ahsoka Tano stood next to a mighty river of red-orange lava. Turmoil engulfed her countenance. There, upon the high riverbank, she watched as Obi-Wan and his former apprentice dueled on a platform surrounded by volatile magma.

Obscured by thick sulfuric clouds and volcanic emissions, the sky could not be seen. Superheated particles of lava drifted through the hot, noxious air.

This was Mustafar.

The nearby canyon walls spewed molten rock, and violent eruptions tormented Ahsoka's soul from afar. All she could do at this point was watch. She dare not get any closer to the flowing lava before her.

Using the force as best she could, Ahsoka kept most of the bigger particles from singeing her red skin. However, the warm air currents were highly unpredictable, and many of the smaller pieces found their way to the girl.

The young Togruta ignored each sting as the floating lava particles burned her. Watching the duel play out before her was far more painful.

Ahsoka wondered how a place like this could even exist as undulating waves of heat hit her relentlessly.

Ever since their arrival to the harsh world, she could do nothing to stop the aching within her. Now, as she contemplated about what had transpired so far, her internal pain was even worse.

The plan had not gone well…

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano had landed at an abandoned section of the mining complex, away from the turbulent lava flows.

Swiftly, they had exited Kenobi's commercial ship and made their way to Padme's Nubian craft, which was located upon a landing pad threatened by a nearby river of magma.

The duo revealed themselves to Anakin and Padme while the senator was pleading with her husband to abandon the dark side.

Anakin became furious.

Although he was incredibly surprised to see his former padawan Ahsoka Tano, he immediately felt that the three were conspiring against him.

Enraged, the new dark lord motioned towards Padme with a closed fist. However, before the force grip had taken hold, Obi-Wan had selflessly rushed in to defend the senator.

Anakin and his former master struggled against each other, arms high in the air. It was at this moment that Ahsoka decided to get Padme to safety.

As the two women rushed on board Padme's ship, Ahsoka persuaded the senator to stay there.

Normally, Padme would never have agreed to stay out of the picture. However, she had to sort through her emotions. Anakin had actually attempted to harm her. She was in utter shock.

Once Padme was safely in the cockpit with Threepio, Ahsoka rushed back out to the landing pad.

Upon her return, the scene was bleak.

Lightsabers had been lit, and the mighty blues clashed against each other with ferocity.

While she was exiting Padme's ship, Ahsoka had heard Obi-Wan announce that he would do what he must. She didn't want to know what that meant.

Ahsoka Tano ignited her green-bladed lightsaber due to pure instinct. She desperately wanted to do something.

Wanting to help Obi-Wan and yearning for her chance to talk to Anakin, Ahsoka almost interfered. However, the force told her that it wasn't her place.

This confrontation had to happen.

Her destiny would come when the time was right.

The battle quickly progressed throughout many sections of the lava-enshrouded complex. Ahsoka kept her distance, but followed. The combatants took no notice of her while she was keeping track of the entire ordeal.

And so, Jedi Ahsoka Tano was now upon the high riverbank, watching the climax of a vicious battle between master and apprentice.

The platform hovered along the mighty river of lava, headed straight for Ahsoka's location.

She was completely unaware that her actions would soon alter the outcome of this epic duel.

~to be continued