(Ahsoka and Ventress)
When she awoke, Ahsoka found herself with Ventress near a large lake, jungle surrounding the lake. Ventress was still out, unconscious on the ground. Ahsoka shook the cufflink that connected them together, wondering if it would magically break. Ventress woke up as soon as she finished rattling it. She sat up and scanned their surroundings. From the glows of the sun rays in the sky, it was nearly sunset.
"Great, we're in the middle of nowhere," said Ventress. "And no idea of what we're looking for." Just as soon as she said this, an image of Xerxes head appeared in front of them.
"Good, you are awake. You are required to find three items. These items are jewels and are found in remote regions of this area. Should you meet another team, you are free to group up with them and help to find your items together, but once you do you are officially a team, and losing one person in that large of a grouping will have you all killed. Also, there are numerous dangers in the jungle, so take caution. You have been warned. Now, your first item is a blue jewel at the bottom of this lake. Once you find it, I will tell you where your next item is. Good luck, and may you vanquish the odds," said Xerxes, his head disappearing.
"Well that's comforting," said Ahsoka. She and Ventress both looked at the lake.
"What I'd give to have Taran here right now," Ahsoka thought. "I hope Ceran's not giving him too much problems."
"Alright, come on whelp," said Ventress, jerking the link for Ahsoka to follow her. Ahsoka glared at her.
"Lead the way harpy," said Ahsoka. Ventress glowered at her before she moved and began walking into the lake. She jumped back a bit, shivering. The water was freezing.
"Not very bright of you was it," said Ahsoka almost mockingly. Ventress glared at her before she dove in, causing Ahsoka to get dragged into the water. The ice-cold water pierced her skin, making her body temperature plummet. She kicked her way to the surface, spitting out water and shivering heavily.
"What's your problem?" she yelled as Ventress resurfaced, smirking.
"Aww, can't hold up against the cold?" said Ventress using a child-like voice. Ahsoka was staring daggers at her. She wondered if she would have preferred Dooku or even Grievous to Ventress.
"Lighten up girl," said Ventress. "There's worse things."
"You seem to know a lot about that," said Ahsoka. Ventress rolled her eyes.
"Look, I don't want to die and I know you don't want to die, so we're going to have to work together," said Ventress.
"I know that, but your attitude is not helping this situation," said Ahsoka, hugging her body with her arms in effort to stay warm.
"How's this for attitude: either you come with me quietly or I drag you down. Your choice," said Ventress. Ahsoka looked at her, wanting to say something back, but she knew it was pointless.
"Fine," she said.
"Good," said Ventress. The 'team' took a deep breath before they dove under water. The water was so cold, Ahsoka wondered how she could move her arms at all. The water felt like it was stabbing her skin all over, and her blood felt frozen in her skin. Beside her, Ventress was swimming like the water didn't bother her. However, they had to time their strokes together else they got nowhere but another moment longer in the freezing water as it slowed their blood circulation and lowered their body temperatures down even further.
The water was pitch-black looking down, only the light from the surface reflecting from the top. They didn't know where they were going, only seeking to find the bottom of the lake. The water pressure was steadily increasing, their eardrums straining to keep the pressure from affecting them as they descended into the depths. A few more feet down from their current position, at 25 feet below the surface, they reached the bottom. The bottom was made of sifting mud, which meant if they tried to scoop or churn it up, a heavy cloud of it would obscure their vision.
The need for air was apparent, but they tried to stay underwater for as long as they could to find any leads on what they were looking for. However, they couldn't go on for much longer and so they came up to the surface, sucking in air as soon as their heads breached the surface. Ahsoka's body was violently shivering, feeling her body temperature dropping by the minute. Ventress took notice of this and thought about hurling another insult, but seeing Ahsoka in this state only made her feel pity.
"One more try, then we can get back to land," said Ventress, sounding like her regular self, but Ahsoka could detect a sympathetic tone underlying. She nodded and the two took another deep breath before diving back into the water. They were able to swiftly get down to the bottom, now fully working in sync as they searched for their item. Carefully making sure that they weren't touching the silt at the bottom, they scanned for any sign or trace of it.
Three minutes passed by and still nothing, and they both knew they only had about two more minutes of air left. Ahsoka felt her body going numb and she couldn't feel her fingers as they continued swimming below the depths. If they didn't find it fast, she was afraid that her body would shut down and she could possibly go into hypothermia.
Ventress scanned in another direction and thought she saw something glimmer. She turned to the spot and sure enough a blue glow was coming from there. She nudged Ahsoka to look in that direction and sure enough she saw it. They rapidly began to swim towards the glow, moving in perfect sync to reach their destination. It took them half a minute to get to the source of the light. A blue jewel, swimming with an inner light, was lying on the silt. Ventress reached out and grabbed it.
At once the water temperature began to drop dramatically. Thinking fast they both made a break for the surface. Though she only had one arm to use, Ventress could still swim unhindered.
For Ahsoka, it was a different story. Her arms were starting to not respond to her body commands, and she felt the increasing urge to sleep as her legs began to kick slower. Her vision was also starting to blur as well as the beginning effects of hypothermia began to set it. Ventress noticed that she was slowing down and reached back with her free hand to grab her hand and began to kick furiously to the surface of the lake. Ice was forming rapidly on the surface and it was only a matter before they were trapped underneath.
5. 4. 3. 2. 1...
Their heads both breached the surface, heading back to the shore as fast as they could while the ice swirled around them. They managed to get to the shore just as their strength was about to give out. Hauling themselves out of the water they crawled until they were a good distance away. Ahsoka was shivering violently. In the distance the sun was setting and night would soon be upon them. Ventress saw tree branches on the jungle floor and used the Force to move them towards them. She organized them into a pile and looked for something to light it. There were various small stones around them and she began to look for anything that could make a spark. Her fingers soon glazed over a piece of flint and she picked it up. It was a decent size, one that could get the job done. She took off her belt and lined it up so that when the flint struck the metal areas of the belt, the sparks would catch on the sticks and start a fire. She struck the flint a few times and it took a minute to get the fire started. She blew on the small embers to get it bigger and in ten minutes they had a crackling fire.
Ahsoka felt instant relief from the warmth the fire gave.
"Thank you," she said softly to Ventress.
"Don't mention it," said Ventress. They continued resting in silence, the only sound coming from the fire and the wind blowing calmly though the jungle. Ahsoka was thankful for what Ventress did, but Ventress was still a foe. Nevertheless, she still helped her when she was down.
"I hope everyone else is alright," she thought.
(Anakin and Dooku)
The two men woke up side-by-side. When they noticed, dark looks graced their facial features.
"Look Count, I don't like this as much as you-"
"The feeling is mutual Skywalker."
"-but we have to work together. Then once we're done we can go back to killing each other," said Anakin. Dooku glowered, but thought about it for a minute.
"Fine," said Dooku. The two stood up just as the head of Xerxes shimmered in front of them.
"Good, you're awake. Your item is a jewel," he said, an image of a pink jewel shimmering next to him," and is located somewhere in this jungle. You have one day to find it. Your second item will be revealed tomorrow." He disappeared after he was finished speaking.
"What now Skywalker?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're gonna be sent on a wild goose chase around the jungle. For now let's just find it as fast as possible," said Anakin.
"Lead the way then," said Dooku. Anakin glowered and turned towards a direction he believed was right and started walking, Dooku close behind.
(4 hours later)
They were now drenched in sweat and their mood was considerably darkened.
"Skywalker, this plan isn't working," said Dooku, picking a tree branch out of his hair.
"Any bright ideas then?" said Anakin. They stepped out into a clearing and saw a massive rock pile in front of them, with rocks ranging from pebbles to massive boulders that stretched up to about thirty feet in the air. At the top was a pink jewel that shimmered on top of it like a bejeweled crown.
"That was easy," said Anakin.
"Too easy," said Dooku. They cautiously looked at each other before they started walking to the pile. Cautiously observing the rocks, they began to steadily climb up. Anakin could climb without much difficulty on the average rocks, but Dooku was slightly struggling. He was already sweating profusely, and his attempts to climb boulders such as one that you had to jump at least five feet to get your fingertips to grasp the edge proved harder than anticipated. Anakin was mostly slowed down by him. He could only look at the old man with pity as he struggled up. Eventually though, the two were able to reach the top. Catching his breath for a moment, Anakin grasped the jewel and plucked it out as if it were just a flower in freshly potted soil.
Suddenly the rock pile shook with such violent force that Dooku and Anakin were thrown from the top and hurtled towards the ground. Using the Force they both landed on the ground safely, however Anakin looked up and saw a massive boulder shoot off from the pile and head straight towards Dooku.
"Look out!" he yelled, pushing Dooku out of the way of the boulder's path. The boulder flattened into the ground as other rocks landed in various places around the clearing. Dooku slowly got up and looked around. Rather than thank Anakin for virtually saving his life, he got up and picked up the jewel Anakin had dropped to save him.
"Two more to go," said Dooku.
"You're welcome," said Anakin, glowering at him.
(Ceran and Taran)
The hot jungle humidity was making the two 'brothers' sweat profusely, trudging through the mud and swampy water. Xerxes had told them of their jewel to acquire. It was green and was somewhere within the swamp region they were currently in.
Taran lead the way as Ceran took the rear. Weird animal noises and sounds could be heard from any direction, and they could both sense lifeforms in the surrounding jungle around them. They were hoping they were friendly. They mostly traveled in silence, that is until Ceran decided to break the ice.
"So, what is it with you and that Ahsoka girl anyway?" said Ceran. Taran stopped and turned around to face him, a serious expression on him, which was a warning sign for "be careful what you say."
"Why does it matter?" said Taran. "As I recall you've tried to kill me and her on many separate occasions, so why bother?"
"Well I know there's definitely something there, which I'm pretty sure you're dating, but then again that's an assumption, but your actions prove otherwise," said Ceran. "Correct me if I'm wrong?"
Taran said nothing, but continued to trudge on through the muck. A minute of uncomfortable silence followed before Ceran spoke again.
"I have someone," said Ceran. Taran stopped and turned to look at him, a look of amazement on his face.
"What?"
"Well it didn't turn out that way. I raided an Elementian village on a colony planet and I spared her and the rest of her village. She was to be a slave. However, over time, it turned into something else. This galaxy does strange things to the beings it lives in," said Ceran.
"You can't be serious," said Taran.
"I am, very. She's actually the reason why I mellowed out," said Ceran. Taran raised an eyebrow in skepticism and disbelief.
"Okay, by a very small amount," said Ceran. They continued walking.
"You still basically saved my life though," said Taran. "I guess I can thank you for that."
"No thanks are needed," said Ceran. He stopped. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" said Taran. Ceran silenced him and pointed to their right. Sure as daylight, the heard what sounded like snoring.
"Should we check it out?" said Taran.
"Do bison's fly?" said Ceran. They crept towards the sound. Every inch they got closer, the sound got louder and louder. Pretty soon it was obvious that there was more than one thing making that sound. They kept advancing until they came to a clearing, where they stood amazed at what they saw.
In front of them was a herd of about fifty creatures the likes of which they had never seen. The creatures were grey and about the size of a small crab droid unit. They had ten ivory horns arranged around their faces in various intervals, with the largest two protruding from their mouths in their cheeks and two medium-sized ones out of their foreheads with the other six arranged around or between them. Their body composition was bulky and showed they were more for brute force than for running, emphasized by their stubby legs. Their hide seemed to be like rocks and they had almost mistook them for rocks if one of the younger creatures hadn't stirred in its sleep. What worried the two the most was that the jewel they were seeking was in the middle of the herd next to the largest creature that appeared to be the leader.
"I'm gonna assume that these things are dangerous," said Ceran.
"What should we do?" said Taran.
"We could use the Force?" said Ceran. He tried to lift it, yet found that the jewel wouldn't budge one way or another.
"Bending will be too loud. We're going to have to do this the old-fashioned wait," said Taran.
"Your plan sucks," said Ceran. Begrudgingly, they both began to take light steps towards the herd. That was the easy part, but now the extremely difficult part was to come. They stopped once at the edge of the herd, looked towards each other, and began to step between the creatures. They had to take their time and control their breathing to coordinate between themselves. They flinched every time they took a step out of fear that each step might have woken one of them up.
Their painfully slow process went on as they calmly stepped past the hulking creatures. As Ceran took another step, a small, young creature scooted over until its sin was touching his leg. Ceran froze and looked down at the youngling. It was still asleep, but he was afraid that if he moved it would wake up. Taran noticed and held out his hands to use the Force. Ceran saw the youngling's side raise up sot that his leg wasn't touching it and quickly moved it .
They continued until they reached the center, near where the jewel was. The leader of the herd was snoozing noisily beside them as they thought of how to retrieve the jewel.
"So, any takers?" said Ceran.
"Either way, it's gonna be extremely difficult," said Taran. The jewel was within 8 feet of them, but the problem was that the leader's tail was swishing back and forth between them and the jewel, at random times. There really wasn't a safe time for them to try and grab it. Taran thought for a minute before he came up with an idea.
"Mind if you can jump to the other side?"
"What?"
"Use my back to propel off and land near it, then I'll use the Force while you jump to pull you back so his tail doesn't hit you," said Taran.
"Hmm, not bad Cyneran," said Ceran. Taran got down on his hands and knees as Ceran climbed on top of his back and balanced himself, focusing on the jewel's location. Once he was at a proper medium he jumped off his back. He used the Force to slow his descent so that he landed right next to the jewel without making a single sound. He gingerly picked up the jewel and jumped up again, to which Taran used the Force to have in float in midair and land gently next to him.
"Piece of cake," said Taran. They both turned around and stopped dead in their tracks. A young calf was looking at them, wondering what they were and why they were there.
"Don't..move..a..muscle," said Taran slowly and quietly. The calf continued gazing at them for a long time, making it very uncomfortable for them to hold their position.
"Will this thing move?" said Ceran. The calf continued gazing at them before it turned around and walked away.
"Spirits that was close," said Taran. They felt hot, musky air blowing on their backs, as well as the breathing sound that came with it.
"Do you feel that?" said Taran.
"Unfortunately yes," said Ceran. They slowly turned around to see the leader looking down at them, its tusks bared and a mad look in its eyes.
"Shall we run for our lives?" said Taran.
"If you don't mind," said Ceran.
The forest was quiet in this area, the many jungle noises complimenting the environment. Suddenly, all noises stopped, being replaced by what sounded like screaming and the trampling of many feet. Suddenly a giant bush rustled and two humans ran out, running for their dear lives, followed by an entire herd of horned grey creatures braying and roaring, their tusks bared to kill.
"AHHHH!" yelled Taran and Ceran as they kept a healthy distance from the the creatures, but they were slowly losing ground.
Ceran looked around to see if there was any way to get out of this. Suddenly, he stopped, causing Taran to keep running until the chain reached maximum length and his arm was pulled back sharply to make him land flat on his back.
"What are you doing?" yelled Taran as he got up, the herd rapidly charging towards them.
"Did you forget about bending?" said Ceran. Taran's eyes brightened as the two stared at the herd, flames starting to dance on their hands.
The forest was once again filled with its exotic noises before it grew quiet again and the large herd came running back in the opposite direction, scared out of their wits. The leader was in the front, ahead of all the others.
"And don't come back you overgrown walking boulders!" yelled Ceran. Seeing that the danger was over, Ceran placed the jewel down on the ground and looked at the sky.
"It'll be dark soon," said Ceran.
"Let's get a fire going," said Taran. Before long, as in less than a minute, a crackling fire was already made as the two 'brothers' collected leafs and branches to feed the fire. Seeing that they had enough they sat down and watched the flames dance and crackle as evening turned to night. They sat in silence for awhile as the day's memories flooded their heads.
"Yes," said Taran.
"Yes what?" said Ceran.
"There is something between me and Ahsoka," said Taran.
"I knew it," said Ceran, smiling a little.
"She's my girlfriend," said Taran.
"Interesting choice. Really don't see many Humans going for Togruta," said Ceran. "Actually if I recollect it's very rare."
"True, but I love her all the same. We basically grew up together, so I've known her all my life," said Taran.
"Isn't that just sweet," said Ceran teasingly. Taran glared before it turned into a small smile.
"What's her name?" Taran asked.
"Kara," said Ceran.
"She's Water Tribe?" said Taran. Ceran nodded.
"Well, she's mixed with Fire Nation and Water Tribe, but she's mostly Water Tribe," said Ceran.
"Oh. Where's she now?" said Taran.
"I secretly returned her to Republic City. I visit her every now and again," said Ceran. However, Taran noticed that he looked saddened when he said that.
"You miss her, don't you?" said Taran.
"Everyday. She changed the way I see things. The things I've done, the people I've harmed, they all keep coming back to me. At first I tried to ignore it, but now they keep coming back as nightmares. I don't know what's right or wrong anymore," said Ceran.
"Well you were brought up by the dark side, it only makes sense," said Taran.
"You act as if the dark side is completely evil. The Jedi have their drawbacks as well," said Ceran.
"Like what?"
"Can you and Ahsoka ever go around holding hands or everyone knows you're together?" said Ceran. At this, Taran was silent.
"I thought so," said Ceran. "You have more freedom in the dark."
"But the things you, Dooku, and Grievous do are horrible. How can you live with yourself?" said Taran.
"As if you haven't killed in war. Remember Julla, and Vindi?" said Ceran. Taran remembered the horrors of war from countless battles and campaigns, recollecting the carnage and slaughter he'd witnessed.
"Any way you look at, good or evil, we're all killers. Only thing that separates you, me and others from the droids is that we have a choice to kill, and most of the time we do it anyway," said Ceran. Taran had never thought of it that way, if at all.
"I don't think this war will ever end," said Taran.
"It'll come, a lot sooner than you think," said Ceran. His face darkened as he looked at him. "Hopefully you're still alive by then to witness it, that is if I don't kill you first."
"Same here," said Taran. They both glared at each other before smiles replaced their frowns.
"It's getting dark. Knowing Xerxes, he has something really nasty planned for us tomorrow," said Taran.
"Sounds accurate. Night," said Ceran, laying down and rolling on his side to have his back towards Taran. Taran did the same, his back facing Ceran. He looked up at the stars.
"I hope you all are alright," he thought before his eyes closed and he ventured into sleep.
Hope you enjoyed the first day's adventures. Sorry it's been too long. Reason I didn't have Grievous and Obi-Wan's story was because, in all honesty, it's too predictable. Grievous will always be the same no matter what, however I might do a small flashback. Anyway, I'm currently typing up the next chapter and hope to have it out soon. Remember to review and also check out my forum about Taran. See you soon.