Chapter 15: A Friend Lost, An Enemy Gained

Barriss had to fight through her own emotions a thousands times over as the T-6 traveled through the snow filled sky of Concordia 'if that separatist trash lays one hand on her I'll...no, no calm down. I let my anger take control and Ahsoka's as good as dead, but Lux will pay for his crimes, one way or another'. Ahsoka's familiar presence filled her concentration as she brought the ship to a complete halt 'Ahsoka!, Ahsoka can you hear me?' nothing, but their was no question in her mind that the girls presence was nearby.

As a nearby clearing in the red forest below caught her eye Barriss put the ship down and pulled the paired sabers from her side into her hands, moving to the back of the cockpit she pulled the purple cape from her robe and grabbed her winter coat. Looking at the coat in her hands instantly reminded her of Ahsoka, although their coats shared almost the same shape and design Barriss had, of course, requested hers be black instead of the usual blue.

Her sabers feeling satisfyingly heavy in her hands Barriss slipped on her coat and took the first steps into the giant blizzard that was Concordia, the violent snowstorm filled her eyesight as she started her trek through the forest. Barriss felt her friends presence grow stronger with each step through the ankle deep snow, the unrelenting wind doing nothing to slow her determined legs as they all but plowed their way across the forest 'Ahsoka I don't know if you can hear me, but if you can I want you to know something. In case...in case I don't make it in time, I never meant anything I said back on Mandalore. I've always thought of you as my equal in every conceivable way, the only reason I said what I did was because I care about you so much. It pains me to think about you being in danger almost on a daily basis, but I realize now that's something I'll have to get used to'.

As the red branches ahead of her got too thick to continue Barriss ignited both her sabers and began to hack her way ahead 'just know one thing Ahsoka, I will always love you, and I know you'll always love me. If you can hear me, I am coming for you, I just need a little more time. Please...please be okay'.

Ahsoka couldn't see anything through the blindfold tied around her head but that didn't stop her from knowing exactly who was in the room she now found herself thrown into, hitting the metal floor on her knees she could easily recognize Lux and Viola as they moved in the room past her. But it was the other person in the room that made her feel uneasy, she had never sensed so much raw anger inside one person that wasn't a Sith, it was towards this strange being that she aimed her words "not the smartest group you have here, it does no good to blindfold a Jedi".

The familiar snap-hiss of a lightsaber caught her off guard, she all but panicked as a pure black blade cut the blindfold from her face. Ahsoka stood to her feet as the sight of the anger filled being occupied her vision, not at all what she expected the tall, devilish looking man in front of her ran a hand through his blonde hair before deactivating the black saber and strapping it back to his belt. The blue and black armor gave the man away as Deathwatch without a doubt but it was the light gray cape the man wore on his side that convinced Ahsoka she wasn't looking at just another soldier, this man had to be the leader.

The Deathwatch leader took a few steps closer and gazed over Ahsoka "a fact I've told my warriors many times over, tell me Jedi, who is it I'm talking to?"

Ahsoka stood her ground as the leader looked her over "padawan learner Ahsoka Tano"

"well Ahsoka allow me to introduce myself, my name is Pre Vizla, leader of the divine Deathwatch movement" Pre Vizla moved forward and ran a gloved hand over Ahsoka's cheek "she is quite beautiful Mr. Bonteri, but I'm afraid capturing a padawan learner won't be enough to join our ranks"

Ahsoka backed up from the man's cold touch as her mind fought to accept his words, as she turned towards Lux the boy refused to meet her eyes "that's why you did all this, just to become one of these monsters"

Lux finally looked up from the floor, the same fury filled look Ahsoka had seen on the ship back in his eyes "don't you dare pretend like you care about me Ahsoka!, you're the reason my mothers dead!, you're the reason I lost everything I ever loved!"

Pre Vizla stepped between the two "enough!, there will be plenty of time for this later. Viola, take Lux to get ready" with a slight nod Viola led Lux out the door. Once they were alone Pre Vizla took another long look at Ahsoka, the look in his eyes made Ahsoka take a few steps back, finding her back against a cold slick wall the young Togruta clenched her fists in preparation for what she was sure to come.

With a cold laugh Pre Vizla turned from the girl "relax young one, contrary to what you've no doubt been told Deathwatch is an honorable group. You will be treated with the utmost respect by me and all my men, certainly nothing as extreme as what I'm sure just went through your head"

Ahsoka relaxed her stance a bit as Pre Vizla turned back to face her "what are you going to do with me?". Pre Vizla took a few steps closer and pressed a button on his armors wrist guard, Ahsoka's cuffs stopped their constant flow of electricity and fell to the floor with a soft clang. Ahsoka rubbed at her sore wrists with a slight look of disbelief "you're not going to kill me?"

Pre Vizla laughed a bit harder "me kill a simple padawan learner, Ahsoka I'm afraid you have yet to truly understand Deathwatch's goal. For me to strike you down now, completely unarmed no less, would be an insult to everything I stand for" Ahsoka stood in complete silence as Pre Vizla continued "it's been so long since we've been able to capture a Jedi...alive that is, we're gonna have some fun with this young one"

Ahsoka felt a chill go up spine "what will you do with Lux?"

"your friend is quite the character, it's not often someone actually seeks us out and asks to prove himself worthy of becoming part of the Deathwatch movement. Lux will be facing his initiation in a few minutes, with any luck your friend will make a fearless warrior and join our ranks"

"he's not like you, I can sense it. Whatever you make him do won't change who he is inside"

Pre Vizla rushed forward in an instant and wrapped a gloved hand around Ahsoka's neck, lifting the gasping girl off her feet with one hand the Deathwatch leader looked her straight in the eyes "now if there's one thing that really annoys me it's when someone outright lies, I know you've seen the look in the boys eyes, that's the look of someone who has nothing left. We both know when it comes right down to it that boy will do whatever I ask of him, because that look, that look only disappears with one thing...blood".

Pre Vizla pulled the darksaber from his belt and ignited it before bringing the blades pointed tip to Ahsoka's cheek, pushing the blade against her skin and letting a single droop of blood fall to the floor as the girl struggled for breath "such a shame to throw away a pretty little thing like yourself, no doubt you could put on a quite a show for the men. Perhaps if you survive today's events we can come up with another use for you, that is of course if you prove yourself strong enough to live"

Releasing his grip Pre Vizla let Ahsoka fall to the floor before moving towards the door, Ahsoka fought the urge to cough as she felt the air reenter her lungs "and what makes you think I won't just escape?"

Letting the door open in front of him Pre Vizla kept his gaze on whatever laid beyond the dark room "this isn't the first time these walls have held a Jedi" with an almost lazy gesture the Deathwatch leader tapped the walls of the room "Mandalorian Iron, even a padawan learner such as yourself must know it's one of the few things in this universe that can resist the cutting power of a lightsaber, this entire cell was made for one very specific reason, to prevent a Jedi from escaping" with one last look back Pre Vizla let out a hearty laugh "I'd get some rest Jedi, you're gonna need it".

As her eyes met the dark blue wall of what she sensed to be her destination Barriss brought her com-link to her mouth "master Kenobi, I've found the Deathwatch base. I can sense many beings inside, the place must be huge"

Obi-Wan's static filled voice tried to answer "good...Barriss...mindful...mustn't let...control..."

"master, master can you hear me?" with a reluctant sigh Barriss lowered the com-link "must be out of range". Running a hand over the cold wall beside her forced what small plan she had on it's head "Mandalorian Iron, of course" giving the wall a swift punch in frustration she pulled back a throbbing hand and took a few deep breaths "every structure has a weakness, something I can exploit to get inside, I just need to focus".

Ahsoka's presence grew more powerful in her mind with each step she took along the walls outer reaches, the soothing feeling easily blocking the cold chill against her face and the wetness of her snow soaked boots from her thoughts 'Ahsoka please answer me...say anything, just let me know you're okay'. Once again her mind was met only with the empty silence of her waiting for an answer, shaking the rush of emotion from her she stopped a few feet short of the walls corner and dropped to a crouch.

Without peeking around the presence of two Deathwatch guards made themselves known just inches away "So you think the kid will pass the test?"

"you kidding?, the commander's setting him up against the captured Jedi, no way in hell he'll survive"

"still any excuse to see that Togruta, you think the commander will keep her alive if she wins?"

"no chance, a Jedi of any age is too dangerous to be left as a prisoner. You need to start thinking with your head instead of your..." Barriss rounded the corner and kicked the nearest guard off his feet while forcing the other into the air clutching at his crushed windpipe, igniting her saber she brought the blue blade upon the downed guard, striking the now lifeless body in the gap between his helmet and his chest plate.

Hesitating for a split second she watched as the guard she had chocked into the air reached desperately for the pistol strapped to his side, closing her open fist sent the guard to the ground with an ear piercing snap. Barriss dropped to her knee and began to look over the two bodies, flipping one body to it's side a flashing object caught her eye. Picking the object up she recognized the design of an old key card, a quick look around she noticed a small door leading inside the base, the symbol on the door matched that of the key card "just a little longer Ahsoka".

Now completely alone in her small cell Ahsoka's montrals easily picked up the almost inaudible hum being sent through the room, no doubt the noise's soul purpose was to stop her from concentrating, and it did it's job well. As she started to pace back and forth in the dark room she racked her mind for any way to escape, only to come up with nothing 'this cell was made to hold a Jedi, escape isn't going to be easy' just focusing enough to think the small sentence was torture.

Putting a trembling hand over both her montrals Ahsoka moved to the door and kicked it in frustration "hey keep it down in there Jedi!" the voice of the guard outside took her back a bit, with all the trouble of putting her in this cell she hadn't expected Pre Vizla to station someone to keep watch 'this guy's smarter than I thought'.

With all the will she could muster she spoke to the door in front of her "you will let me go" the response to her words came in the form of a short laugh.

The guard outside slid open the small view port on the door, letting a thin ray of sunlight and snow into the room as he looked inside "nice try Jedi, your little mind tricks won't work on me or anyone else here" as the eyes in the view port continued to peer inside Ahsoka felt a small chill go through her body.

As much as she tried not to think of it a plan quickly formed in her mind, using all her strength not to vomit she took a few graceful steps closer to the door "well then maybe you could at least bring me some water, I'd uh...I'd be very grateful"

The eyes peering inside widened "really, how grateful we talking?"

Ahsoka felt the bile rise in her throat but forced herself to smile "why don't you come in here and find out?" the door in front of her opened almost automatically as the guard stepped inside. A cocky grin crossed the guards face before it was met with a booted foot, Ahsoka watched as the guard stumbled on his feet and pulled her arm back. The second her closed fist struck it's target the guard hit the floor of the cell, still barely conscious the guard put a hand up to his bloody nose as Ahsoka leaned forward and took the gun from his side.

Debating whether or not to knock the guard completely out Ahsoka shrugged the thought away and started for the door, before walking out she turned back to the guard "oh and sleemo, I'm sixteen!, what the hell is wrong with you people?" not wanting to hear the answer she continued out the door and closed it behind her, taking a few steps forward she felt the snow pelt against her coat.

Through squinted eyes she could just make out the surrounding area from the heavy blizzard, a series of small buildings just like her own stretched from both sides of her. Directly in front of her a large dome roofed building took up the remainder of the walled off area, Ahsoka tightened the grip on her pistol as she started through the deep snow "not bad Jedi!, now be a good girl and drop the gun!" swinging the pistol around she was met with the sight of a Deathwatch soldier raising from the top of every nearby building, each with a long barreled rifle aimed at her head.

Pre Vizla walked around the closest building and pulled the blaster pistol from his side "you were a little quicker than the others Ahsoka, rather impressive for someone so young"

Ahsoka raised her pistol to Pre Vizla's head "you knew I'd escape"

"of course I did, like I said before this isn't the first time these walls have held a Jedi" raising his pistol toward Ahsoka Pre Vizla quickly switched his aim to the cell from which she had escaped, the soldier she had tricked stumbled his way out the now open door with a hand on his bleeding head "I apologize Ahsoka, I told you you would be treated with respect by me and my men, I'm never one to go back on my word" with a look of disgust on his face the Pre Vizla pulled the trigger on his pistol, the red blaster bolt raced through the air before finding it's mark directly between the eyes of the Deathwatch soldier.

Ahsoka watched helplessly as the soldiers body went limp and fell face first into the snow, a sly grin spread across his face Pre Vizla turned his pistol back to Ahsoka "I assure you such blatant disrespect will not happen again, now I'll ask you one more time to drop the gun". With another look at the blasters aimed towards her head Ahsoka dropped her pistol into the snow, the heavy weapon disappeared as it sank towards the ground and was covered by the continuous snowfall. Holstering his own blaster Pre Vizla moved forward and forced Ahsoka's hands behind her back, with a tight grip on the young Togruta he started leading her away from the cell "I had hoped you would use your time to rest, but unfortunately you will have no such luxury. You wouldn't want to miss your friends initiation would you?".

Ahsoka reluctantly let herself be pushed towards the large building in front of her "what do I care if Lux becomes one of you?"

Pre Vizla smiled as he gazed along the path ahead "I'm afraid you still don't understand Ahsoka, you're not watching the test, you are the test".

Mandalore

Obi-Wan brought his com-link to his mouth "good job Barriss, just be mindful of your emotions, you mustn't let them control you" when the only reply he got was static he lowered his hand with a reluctant sigh "I hope that girl knows what she's doing"

"so I take it the council is aware of their feelings?" the duchess Satine walked out from the front of the palace dressed in her red and blue casual clothes

Obi-Wan leaned his back against the palace's metal wall "for some time now, they would actually be stripped from the order already if master Yoda wouldn't have taken a special interest in them"

Satine took a few steps closer and sat down on the bench beside the Jedi master "you don't have to sound so disappointed Obi"

"believe me duchess nothing would please me more than to put this entire situation behind me but the fact of the matter is both Barriss and Ahsoka have broken the Jedi code by acting on this attachment to each other"

Satine let out a dry laugh "pfft, leave it to a Jedi to use such an inhuman term"

Obi-Wan cast an annoyed glance in her direction "what do you mean?"

"attachment makes it sound like these girls are doing something wrong"

"they are doing something wrong" Obi-Wan stated matter-of-factly

Satine rose from her seat and met Obi-Wan's eyes "how is choosing to be with the one you love wrong?"

Obi-Wan straightened his form along the wall, the unease of having the duchess so close evident in his voice "what makes you so certain we're dealing with love?, it could just as easily be a simple teenage lust that was taken too far".

The duchess rolled her eyes "Obi don't play dumb, you're too smart for it to work. I know you've seen the way those two act around each other, for force sake just the way they look at one another, those two are in love"

Obi-Wan switched his gaze to the ground, watching a number of people walk along the path below them while trying to avoid where he knew the conversation was headed "either way you put it they still broke the Jedi code"

Satine brought a soft hand to Obi-Wan's chin and guided the Jedi's eyes to met her own "Obi you once told me had I said the word you would of left the Jedi order, you of all people must know what these two are going through"

Obi-Wan pushed Satine's hand away from him as lightly as he could and took a few steps away from the palace "that was entirely different, what we had..."

"what?" Satine marched forward and once again met his eyes "what we had what?"

"what we had was...Satine you know how I felt, how I still feel to this day. I don't blame Barriss or Ahsoka for what they've done, but the Jedi code leaves little room for compromise. There's not much I can do to help them"

Satine let her compassionate gaze wash over the Jedi master "when the times comes you will do the right thing Obi, you always do".

Concordia

Once inside the bases walls Barriss was amazed by just how empty the place was, almost every presence prominent enough for her to feel had moved to the very middle of the large base just moments ago. Crouch running her way along the wall she could just make out a large domed building in the distance, moving to force jump her way there she quickly pushed the thought away 'a base as big as this has to have snipers somewhere, no doubt I'd be picked off before I had a chance to hit the ground'

'Barriss, is that you?' the voice echoing inside her head was the sweetest thing she had ever heard and did it's usual job of sending a chill through her body 'Barriss?'

Barriss moved behind a nearby building and let a smile cross her face as she focused 'yes Ahsoka it's me, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice'

'Barriss in case I never get a chance to see you again I need you to know something, I never meant anything I said during our fight'

'neither did I Ahsoka, once you left with Lux I realized we can't let one stupid argument ruin the best thing in our lives, I love you, nothing will ever change that'

there was short silence before Ahsoka answered 'I love you too'

Barriss took a moment to check the nearby area, once gathering that she was still alone she started moving from building to building along the bases inner wall 'Ahsoka I've come to rescue you'

'what!, Barriss you have to leave, you have no idea how powerful Deathwatch is'

'yeah tell that to the guards outside, I'm not leaving without you Ahsoka' stopping when she reached a corner on the wall she peered around, a snow covered path was surrounded on either side by rows of targets no doubt set up for practice, each bore the unmistakable resemblance of a Jedi 'I know Lux betrayed you, I'm...sorry he wasn't the friend you thought he was'.

'Lux wants to join the Deathwatch movement, he blames me for what happened with his mother'

Barriss fought against the blizzard with every step, doing her best to ignore the faces of the targets as she made her way down the path 'and so he turned his feelings against you into hatred for all Jedi, do you think he'll go through with it?'

'I hope not, to pass the initiation he has to prove himself worthy as a warrior, he has to fight me in armed combat'

Barriss doubled her pace along the path 'I'm on my way Ahsoka, just stall as long as you can' "well what do we have here?, come to rescue your friend Jedi!" turning to the strange voice Barriss was met with the sight of a female Deathwatch soldier, Viola hovered in the air just inches above the ground, the heat from her jet-pack melting the snow under her feet "we both know I can't let that happen". Barriss ignited her paired sabers as Viola dropped to the ground and moved a hand to her waist "best me and you will be given clear entrance to the arena, no one else will stand in your way. Not that it will matter after I'm through with you".

Barriss hardened her stance as Viola wrapped her hand around an object strapped to her waist, the Deathwatch soldier pulled the lightsaber hilt off her belt and ignited the blade, or what at first appeared to be a blade. Taking a few cautious steps back Barriss watched the pure black lightwhip extend from it's hilt and fall to the ground with a crackling hiss, Viola wasted no time in reactivating her jet-pack and hovering a few feet into the air, her lightwhip trailing menacingly behind her "any last words Jedi!".

Barriss swung her paired sabers in a few loose circles "yeah, drop your weapon and submit to Republic law so I'm not forced to kill you"

Viola cracked her lightwhip against the ground under her "pathetic Jedi!"

Ahsoka barely had time for her eyes to adjust to the bright neon lights of the arena before she was pushed inside, the rough metal floor scraping against her knees as she stood to her feet. With the door immediately closed behind her she turned her attention in front, the large arena was much as she had expected. In thick black lines along the metal floor a square outline took up the majority of the room, stretching from her feet several feet across to a door identical to the one behind her.

Besides her a number of Deathwatch soldiers stood on either side of the outlined arena, each standing with a blaster rifle in their hands at full attention. While searching for any means of escape from the room the door behind her swished open, Pre Vizla pulled his cape completely around his side as he took his place in the middle of the arena "men!, today yet another lost soul fights for their right to be one of us!. To gain this rare honor Lux Bonteri will face a member of the very order that brought death to so many of our ancestors!, and one of a race of fierce warriors!, Togrutan Jedi Ahsoka Tano!".

Ahsoka stood entirely stiff, debating against trying to get her hands around the darksaber hanging from Pre Vizla's wait before said saber was thrown into her hands "I won't kill him, it's not the Jedi way"

Pre Vizla kept his gaze past the young Jedi as he walked off the arena "then, my young friend, you will die" raising his voice for all to hear Pre Vizla motioned towards the opposite side of the arena "this fight will be to the death!, under no circumstances is anyone to stop or hinder the fight in any way!". The sound of the door opening lead every head in the room to turn in it's direction, Ahsoka ignited the darksaber and held it in her trademark Shien stance as she steeled herself for what she was about to see.

Lux walked out of the darkness clad in the same Deathwatch armor she had seen on so many before, the boy held his helmet at his side as he stepped into arena. Putting the blue and black helmet over his head before his eyes could meet those of Ahsoka's Lux pulled a strange weapon from his side, almost resembling a old fashioned sword the dark blue blade and pure black hilt gave it away as something all together different.

As if sensing her confusion Pre Vizla spoke up behind Ahsoka "a pure Iron sword, first one ever made, in the line of many to come should it prove successful. Made purely of Mandalorian Iron, like our amour and the walls that surround you it is capable of withstanding multiple strikes from any lightsaber"

Ahsoka shook her head as she crossed the darksaber defensively in front of her "Lux I know you feel alone ever since your mom died, but you don't have to this, let me help you"

Lux raised his sword in front of him and took a few steps forward, his voice sounding noticeably darker from under his helmet "you have no idea what I went through Ahsoka!, if you hadn't brought the war to my front door my mother would still be alive!". With more agility than she would of thought possible Lux leaped forward and brought his sword down straight towards Ahsoka.

Ahsoka easily parried the attack and pushed Lux back with a light force push "Lux the Republic didn't attack your home, the Jedi would never allow such an act to take place. Count Dooku..."

"Count Dooku was the one person who came to my aid when everyone else apparently forgot about me!, he was the one who told me who was responsible for my mothers death!" Lux once again moved forward, this time striking with double the strength as he swung his sword against Ahsoka's darksaber "all the Jedi will pay for her death!".

Ahsoka found herself using more and more energy to block Lux's attacks, with each blocked swing she felt her strength dissipate and her stance loosen "damn it Lux the Jedi weren't responsible for your mothers death!, Republic spies confirmed it was separatist forces that attacked your home!"

Lux stopped his attack and took a few cautious steps back before taking off his helmet and throwing it hard against the ground, a stream of tears ran down from each of the boys eyes "what are you talking about!"

"I'm sorry Lux" with a compassionate nod Ahsoka deactivated the darksaber and threw it to the ground "Count Dooku's personal forces led the attack, the Separatist are the ones who betrayed you"

Lux fell to his knees and dropped the Iron sword beside him "no...but...everything I've done...I was so sure"

Pre Vizla stood from his seat at the back of the arena "Lux Bonteri are you refusing to fight?, such an act will have extremely negative consequences I assure you"

Lux kept his gaze towards the arena's floor, a blistering fury curdling through his blood as he wrapped a trembling hand back around the hilt of his sword "no, I'm not refusing to fight".

Barriss attempted to parry Viola's frantic attacks as the Deathwatch soldier flew in quick circles around her, striking from every conceivable direction with the pure black energy of her lightwhip. More than a few strikes hit home, each ripping small holes in her coat and giving view to the olive skin underneath. In a vain attempt to turn the tide of the fight Barriss threw both sabers from her hands, the blue bladed weapons spun through the air straight towards a surprised Viola, the deathwatch soldier turned in the air just in time for each saber to met the metal of her jet-pack.

Viola's jet-pack sputtered a few short burst before shorting out completely, sending her helmet first into the deep snow as Barriss pulled the sabers back into her hands, with a frustrated scream Viola pulled the useless jet-pack from her back and threw it to the ground beside her "you're stronger than you look Jedi!"

Barriss simply smiled as she lunged forward, getting in close so that Viola's long range weapon would prove useless. Now within distance Barriss swung her left saber towards the lightwhips hilt, with a satisfying crack the weapon was burned from Viola's hand and shattered into pieces as it fell into the snow. Without giving the Deathwatch soldier time to react Barriss brought her right saber to Viola's neck, stopping just short of the gap between her helmet and her chest plate "your move, surrender or die, I will not hesitate to take your life".

Her face unreadable under her helmet Viola sprung into action faster than even Barriss could predict, a armor covered foot knocked the Jedi on her back as Viola performed a perfect back flip and pulled the blaster pistol from her side as her feet hit the ground "time to die Jedi!".

Barriss tightened her grip around the hilt of her sabers and stood back to her feet "I gave you one chance to surrender, that's a liberty I will not make twice" deactivating both her sabers and clipping them back to her belt she took one last look at the pistol aimed at her head before bringing a single open palm into the air. Viola's pistol fell to the snow as the Deathwatch soldier brought both hands to her neck, with her free hand Barriss raised the pistol into the air and shattered the weapon with one closed fist.

She watched with a blind fury as Viola struggled for breath under her helmet, a small amount of concentration brought the Deathwatch soldier into the air. Barriss began to close her open palm into a tight fist, taking pleasure in each small breath that managed to escape Viola's lungs "I've run out of time to keep toying with you, let it be known that this choice was yours to make".

Turning to face the domed building in the distance Barriss brought Viola's weakened form into the air in front of her, using the power of the force alone to keep the soldier in place she brought both her hands back and closed her eyes. A blue ball of pure energy began to swirl in between her hands, with all the strength she could gather Barriss pushed her body forward and aimed directly for Viola's gasping form in front of her.

Every living being in the arena went silent as they waited for Lux to explain himself, Ahsoka took a cautious glance to the darksaber laying on the ground beside her but shook the thought from her head. A thunderous crash brought every head in the arena staring straight up as two forms broke through the arena's glass dome and fell to the ground in a mix of dust and snow.

As the dust began to clear Ahsoka reached her hands out just in time to catch her lightsabers as they were thrown to her, Pre Vizla took a few steps forward and picked his darksaber up from the ground as he waved the dust away in a vain attempt to see the forms inside "what is this?". Ahsoka clipped her sabers to her side and pushed the dust away with a small will from the force, all eyes in the arena widened as the scene in front of them became clear.

Barriss re-activated her paired sabers and plunged both blue blades into Viola's motionless form before standing to her feet and pulling her hood down, blowing a few stray strands of hair from her face as she cast a daring look around the room, a pair of fierce eyes finally settled on Pre Vizla "padawan Barriss Offee, at your service".