A prophecy rewritten!, having turned his back on the Republic and the Jedi James Clever meets secretly with his Master to plan his next move for the end of the clone wars. Meanwhile newly crowned Jedi Knights Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano search the streets of Corusant in hope of stopping their old friend, but unknown to either one James' treachery is only the beginning of their problems.
Chapter 22: Order 66
Barriss and Ahsoka walked in silence through the endless maze of Corusant's market district, trying their best to politely push by group after group of people. Each girls eyes expertly taking in every movement around them as their ears (montrals) were filled with the inane chatter of a planet constantly on the move. As Barriss knew she would Ahsoka didn't stay quiet for very long, causing a small smile to spread on Barriss' face as the young Togruta spoke up. "Barriss, do you really believe there's no hope of turning James?".
Along with a deep sigh Barriss pulled the golden hood down from her head, running a hand through her hair as she met her friends eyes. "Ahsoka I know this is hard to take in, and believe me if I thought there was even a chance at saving James, well I'd do everything in my power to see that happen, but we have to be realistic about this". As both girls neared the end of the walkway Barriss nodded courteously to a pair of blue skinned twi-leks, with a thin smile the two female twi-leks stepped to the side and allows both her and Ahsoka to pass. Finally leaning forward on the walkways end railing Barriss looked out to the Senate building in the distance, doing her best to force a smile as Ahsoka moved to stand beside her.
Once again meeting the young Togruta's crystal clear blue eyes was enough to make her heart sink, how Ahsoka managed to keep a look of pure innocence after everything they've been though she'd never know. Barriss slid her hand on the rail in front of her, resting it on Ahsoka's and giving the girl a compassionate glance before speaking. "Not everyone can be saved Ahsoka, sometimes for peace to be kept people have to die". At the last of her words Ahsoka turned away from her gaze, focusing instead on the view in front of them for a number of minutes of silence.
Just when Barriss thought to speak up again Ahsoka raised a hand to her neck, gently pulling the necklace James had given her off her neck and throwing it over the railing with a hint of pain on her face. Another few minutes followed before Ahsoka spoke up "do you think we should visit James' mother?, even if she doesn't know where he is I think she has a right to know what's going on".
"I was hoping we could leave her out of this till it's over" Barriss admitted halfheartedly "but it's getting harder and harder to keep hold of James' force presence, perhaps it is time we...". Ahsoka felt her heart beat increase dramatically as the sound of her friends voice left her montrals, the world fading into darkness as a sound she had hoped never to hear again reverberated around her. Now looking in every direction to see only an endless see of black Ahsoka moved a confused hand to her main saber as a series of deep mechanical breaths sent a shiver down her spine. Lighting her sabers green blade did nothing to light the area around her, only succeeding in forcing her to take a quick step backwards as a form approached slowly her from out of the darkness.
Covered head to toe in armor noticeably blacker than even the shadows surrounding her the form gripped a lightsabers from its waist and ignited a blood red blade, immediately rising its blade into the air and bringing it down with enough force to shake the ground under their feet. Ahsoka's legs buckled the second she blocked the attack, the strength ripped from her legs she fell to her knees in front of the figure. "What is thy bidding?, my Master" the words left her lips before she even realized what she was saying, as if they were almost forced out of her by the figure looming in front of her. With the will to fight back now gone Ahsoka deactivated her saber and, only half in control of her actions, handed it to the black figure.
Ahsoka turned her gaze as the figure clenched his fist, shattering her saber to pieces as he raised his own up for one final strike. Closing her eyes Ahsoka's heart went hollow, unable to focus on anything but the feeling she knew was soon approaching. "It does not have to end this way young Jedi". The voice forcing her to reopen her eyes Ahsoka looked back to the figure in front of her, gone was the mechanical Sith she thought would bring her end, replaced instead a figure equally confusing, although instantly recognizable. The elderly man in front of her helped Ahsoka to her feet, gaining a respectful bow from the confused young Togruta.
The Father shared the girls bow, afterwords clasping his hands behind his robe and meeting Ahsoka's eyes. After a quick look to her waist to see both her sabers safe and sound Ahsoka spoke "please Father, who was that man?".
The Fathers eyes shown no hint of emotion as he spoke, his voice echoing around every inch of the darkness. "The man you saw is your future Ahsoka, but only one of many futures available to you at this time". When it was clear he had only further confused Ahsoka the Father continued "when the chosen one let you discover your feelings for your sister Jedi he unknowingly gave the universe one final chance to avoid its true destiny, the same destiny I'm afraid I must now show to you". Before she could question the mans words the Father took a single step forward, placing the tip of his index finger square on Ahsoka's forehead.
What followed Ahsoka knew she never forget even after she became one with the force, a series of flashes so vivid, so real she felt as though they enveloped her very soul. The first of which forced her entire body to become drenched in sweat and the strong taste of what she could only describe as ash to fill her mouth, a flooding of tears she was too weak to push out filled her eyes as she looked at the image of her former Master standing only inches above a pool of lava. The look in her Masters eyes was one she had seen all too often, a look of a fury she knew Anakin had struggled with the past few years, but this time the small amount of self control that usually held the Jedi Knight at bay was gone, allowing the fury to take over every inch of his body, filling even his eyes with a dark yellow essence that made Ahsoka's pores stand on end. With his lightsaber drawn Anakin looked above him with a wicked smile, forcing Ahsoka's gaze to switch from him to the other Jedi standing only a few feet away on a small black hill.
Obi-Wan's face shown one of a man at his final moments, no emotion depicted in his eyes as he looked down at his former apprentice. "It's over Anakin!, I have the high ground!".
The smile on Anakin's face only grew at Obi-Wan's words "you underestimate my power!".
Obi-Wan raised his saber in front of his chest "don't try it!".
Ahsoka willed her eyes to close as Anakin jumped into the air to no avail, all she do was watch as the Master she had grown to love was cut down by Obi-Wan's saber, his body cut in half at the waist as he rolled back down the hill, filling Ahsoka's montrals with an agonizing scream of both pain and hatred. A few loose tears fell from Obi-Wan's eyes as he deactivated his saber "you were the chosen one!, it was said that you would destroy the Sith not join them!. Bring balance to the force!, not leave it in darkness!".
Every bone in her body rigid Ahsoka lost all feeling, focused only on the sight in front of her as Anakin helplessly crawled his way away from the flowing lave behind him. "I hate you!".
"You were my brother Anakin!...I loved you!". 'Please Father, I can't watch anymore!, I'm begging you!' just as Ahsoka was sure her heart would stop beating the vision in front of her began to dissipate, replaced with a series of quick flashes no easier to take in. Ahsoka fell to her knees as she watched the scenes go by in horror, Padme' losing the will to live as she gave birth to two children, decades of suffering as what was left of her Master hunted down and slaughtered any Jedi he could find, a man stronger in the force than any she'd felt before kneeling before her Master as countless Jedi fell by his blade, and finally the combined cries of millions as an entire planet was reduced to nothing by a power she knew had to be impossible. 'Enough!, you have to make it stop!, please make it stop!".
Once again helped to her feet by the Father Ahsoka found herself uncontrollably happy to be surrounded by darkness, with a solemn expression the Father began to speak. "Without your help the chosen one will fall to the Sith you seek to destroy, and the universe will in turn be plunged into a darkness that lasts for decades".
"There has to be a way to stop it" Ahsoka demanded, her fists clenching for reasons even she didn't understand. "I don't care about the so called prophecy, or Anakin's destiny, if it can stop what you just showed me I'll do whatever it takes".
The Father nodded "like I said, your relationship with your sister Jedi was just the beginning in a series of events that have already begun to change the destiny of this universe. If not for your actions the future you were shown would have been inevitable".
"I don't care!" Ahsoka took a few steps back from the Father "I'm sorry, just tell me what I have to do".
"In order for that future to be destroyed balance must be brought to the force, but it is clear to me now that the chosen one is not strong enough to complete this task alone, without the help of those close to him his love for the Senator will be his undoing".
Ahsoka shook her head to insure she'd heard correctly "his love for...Padme'?, or course Padme' how could I be so blind?. Please Father, if I can stop James and his Master, will that stop the visions from becoming reality?".
The Father clasped his hands behind his robes, considering Ahsoka's words for a moment before answering. "Your skills may be enough to stop the apprentice, but the chosen one is the only being powerful enough to put an end to the Sith lord".
"Alright so I'll stop James and make sure I'm right beside Anakin when he faces the Sith lord, will that be enough?".
"This is not for me to know" the Father stated "only the force may decide if the future can be changed, but you young Jedi may be our only hope. Right now the Sith apprentice is on his way to Kamino, let the force guide your actions Jedi, and those you care for may still be saved".
In the time it took the young Togruta to blink her eyes Ahsoka found herself back on Corusant, still standing by Barriss' side as the sun shined down above them. Before she could speak up about her experiences Barriss broke the silence "James left the planet, I can't sense him".
Ahsoka quickly nodded before grabbing Barriss' hand and pulling the confused girl away from the rail and back down the crowded walkway. "He's headed for Kamino, if we hurry we might be able to beat him there".
^0^0^0^
Kamino Cloning Center
Jedi Master Shaak Ti sat cross-legged in the middle of her extremely small quarters, with her knees only just missing the cot to her left as she tried her best to focus on the silence around her. Sensing his approach even before it happened Shaak Ti began to stand to her feet as a pale brown skinned Zabrakian entered her quarters, dressed in a dark brown Jedi robe and black combat boots the Jedi's polite features and muscular body were only complimented by two large horns jetting out from the top of his head that curved down the back of his head. After a small bow with the fellow Jedi Shaak Ti let a warm smile grace her lips "Master Dilrhan, bored again I see".
Taking a few steps passed her Dilrhan sat down on the small cot at the side of the room, a smooth powerful voice filling the room as he began to speak. "I don't know how you stand the quiet here, if it weren't for blaster training one would never know the clones were even here, it's certainly a drastic change from my usual assignments".
"Quiet means all is going as planned" Shaak Ti pointed out "and there's plenty here to keep busy if you know where to look, why don't you join me in...". The Togruta Master cut her own sentence short as a sharp pain shot through her montrals, forcing her to her knees as a startled Dilrhan came to her aid and slowly helped her back to her feet. Relying on the force alone to keep the pain at bay Shaak Ti meet her friends eyes "an alarm at the main complex, something is very wrong". Both Jedi shared a short nod before running out the small room and into the the brightly lit white hallway, their boots echoing along the slick black floor as another blare of the alarm forced Shaak Ti to stumble just inches before the buildings exit.
Master Dilrhan glanced out the see through door ahead of them, his eyes glancing over the large domed building at the very center of the base before another blare of the alarm caused him to wince at Shaak Ti's discomfort. Without looking Dilrhan raised a hand into the air, smashing the alarm located directly above the door and gaining a silent thank you from Master Ti. Another wave of his arm and the door in front of him swished open, both Jedi took a few steps outside onto the bridge leading to the main complex before Shaak Ti's com-link forced the Jedi's arm to her mouth. A few seconds of static filled the night air before a voice became clear "Jedi Master Shaak Ti, this is Captain Rex of the Jedi flagship Resolute do you copy?".
Shaak Ti switched her gaze to the stars above, quickly spotting the looming flagship as it neared a docking station close by. "We copy Captain but we have a bit of a situation right now".
"I know General, you'll want to meet us before answering that alarm".
A Few Minutes Later
With the Resolute successfully docked Jedi Knights Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano made their way down the ships loading ramp, meeting up with Shaak Ti and Dilrhan half way across the circular platform. A mix of questions written on the Jedi Masters faces Ahsoka was first to speak up "Masters we have reason to believe the Sith apprentice is the reason for that alarm, we thought it safer to group up before going after him". All sharing a silent understanding the four Jedi started off towards the main complex, just reaching the buildings large open entrance as Ahsoka brought her com-link to her mouth. "Alright Rex you know the plan, I hope to settle this problem without risking anymore lives but if I give the order I need your men ready to act".
Rex's confidence filled voice answered almost instantly "You can count on us Commander er...General Tano".
"You can just call me Ahsoka Rex, I think we're on a first name basis by now".
"Of course Ahsoka, Rex out" as Ahsoka deactivated her com-link Master Dilrhan began to lead the way through a variable maze of hallways, only stopping the group of Jedi behind him twice as he checked the hall ahead of them. After a few solid minutes of walking the group finally set sight on the door leading into the source of the alarm still blaring around them, the loud noise causing both Shaak Ti and Ahsoka to stumble with every step they took. With a silent order to stay back the three female Jedi stopped a few steps shy of the door as Master Dilrhan crept forward in a low crouch, pulling his lightsaber from his belt and opening the door in front of him with a wave of his hand. The room housing the complex's main computer was strangely empty, nothing but a large circular terminal that spanned the room and the blaring sound of the alarm in the far corner.
"Well, that's disappointing" still looking around the room Dilrhan turned to call the rest of the group inside "looks safe enough, someone turn that damn alarm off".
As her friends began to enter beside her Barriss quickly walked to the farthest corner of the room and flicked a switch on the wall, sending all into a still silence before joining Ahsoka in the middle of the room. "Ahsoka are you sure James was headed to Kamino?". Before Ahsoka could answer a faint movement above them caught both girls eyes, in the time it took for either girl to reach for their saber a black silhouetted figure dropped to the floor with a soft thud and took off across the room. Busy inspecting the terminal at the front of the room Master Shaak Ti had just enough time to turn around before the figure wrapped an arm around her waist and brought the cold touch of a lightsabers hilt to her neck.
Barriss and Ahsoka took their place beside Master Dilrhan as all three took a few steps towards the figure, stopping with only a few feet between themselves and a still calm Shaak Ti. "About damn time" pulling the hood down from his head James gave the three Jedi a thin smile "I've been hanging up there for like ten minutes, what took you two so long?, and who's the new guy?".
Ahsoka cautiously pulled both sabers from her side "James you don't have to do this, just put your weapons down and let her go".
"Oh can the peacekeeper act Ahsoka, I mean honestly has it ever worked?" his smile still spreading James tightened his grip on Shaak Ti's waist "ya know I did get one thing right, the hot one's are always Jedi".
"Enough of this boy!" Master Dilrhan slanted his eyes as he pulled a double bladed lightsaber from his belt, igniting its two green blade and taking a quick step forward "release her now!".
"Man you're no fun, well I guess you heard him tight ass" Master Shaak Ti clenched both fists as James gave her a swift kick in the butt "go join your friends, my job's done anyway".
"Why would you do this?" Ahsoka's tone was almost distant, as if the girl really didn't expect an answer. "Me and Barriss, we were your friends, we loved you".
James laughed dryly "why?, you want a reason why?, well I suppose that's fair. Igniting his sabers blood red blade James took a few steps closer to the four Jedi, never once flinching as the edge of four sabers were aimed at his chest. "How's greed for a motivation?, cliché' enough for you Ahsoka?, or how about corruption?, jealousy?, any of these striking a cord?". At a blank look from the young Togruta James continued "no, okay then how about power, the power to do the things the Jedi are too weak to accomplish. In time you'll come to thank me Ahsoka, Palpatine is the only one strong enough to truly bring peace to the galaxy".
A few seconds of silence passed as James' words hit home with each Jedi, Master Shaak Ti being the first to pull herself together enough to speak. "It seems we've been deceived for some time now, an unfortunate slip of the tongue Sith".
"Oh, perhaps I've said too much" James mocked, a thick smile on his face as he slowly reached down in his pocket and pulled a small holo-pad into his hand. The group of Jedi stood motionless, each ready to act but still curious as to the boys strange action. As James held the holo-pad up for all to see Chancellor Palpatine's hologrammed form sent a cold chill through the room. "Your will has been carried out my Lord, you may proceed whenever you're ready".
As Sidious began to talk the smooth reassuring quality of his voice all but disappeared, replaced instead by a gruff and intensity that seemed almost inhuman. "Most impressive, report to the Senate as quickly as possible, our time squatting in the dark has come to an end".
"Of course my Lord, what should I do about the Jedi on Kamino?".
"End them!" Sidious screamed "prove to me you have what it takes to remain my apprentice!". With a silent nod James deactivated the holo-pad and stuffed it back inside his pocket before switching his gaze to meet Barriss' eyes. If she wasn't entirely convinced of the boys treachery Barriss may have thought, just for a second, that the look in James' eyes was one of regret, or even sadness. But she quickly wiped the thought from her mind as James deactivated his saber and clipped it back to hit belt beside Dooku's saber.
A look bordering on insanity on his face James took a quick step forward "you wanna know why Lord Sidious took such an interest in me?, there's...something about me". Without a seconds hesitation James stretched both hands out in front of him, a fierce flash of blue lightning erupting from his fingertips that sent all four Jedi back as their sabers slowly absorbed the force energy from the attack. "I can master in weeks what it takes others a lifetime of training to accomplish!".
Quickly recovering from the attack Ahsoka brought her com-link to her mouth "Rex do it now!, blow the charges!". For a few precious seconds only silence filled the room, followed by a series of explosions muffled by the many halls surrounding them.
A thin smile still on his lips James' aimed a smile at Ahsoka "bringing the whole building down, not bad, I only wish I could stay to watch the scene unfold". All four Jedi jumped forward at once, only to have themselves thrown back across the room by a wave of James' hand. Taking a second to charge the force energy flowing in him James sprang upward, blasting a hole in the ceiling as he disappeared into Kamino's rain drenched sky. Barriss held back a painful pounding in her head as she pulled herself to back on her feet, a quick look to both sides telling her her friends were fine she proceeded to take off back across the room.
Knowing full well her friends would be right behind her Barriss propelled her body out the hole in the ceiling and quickly spotted James making his way down the buildings sloped roof. Her feet hitting the roof before she could come up with a plan she found it impossible for her boots to find grip on the slick wet surface under her. Some help from the force speeding her way forward Barriss began to slide down the roof towards James, doing her best to ignore the fact that the entire building was just beginning to crumble from it's base and descend to the never ending ocean underneath it. James turned his head as she began to close the space between them, sending a bolt of force lightning straight back towards her.
Barriss had just enough time to pull her main saber from her side and ignite it's green blade before the lightning reached her, swiftly crossing the blade in front of her and absorbing the energy before willing the force to increase her speed. James sent a flurry of lightning strikes towards the girl trailing behind him as both neared the edge of the buildings roof. The heavy rainfall pelting her skin Barriss squinted against the rain and expertly blocked each attack before James sent himself into the air once again. Following the boys actions Barriss jumped as high as she could, a trained eye fighting through the intense conditions around her to stay on James as he landed amidst a group of clones on the same platform that housed the idle Jedi cruiser Resolute.
Barriss' boots hit the round platform with more that a small amount of recoil, shaking off the pain she raised her saber towards James and aimed her words at the clones all around her. "Surround this Sith!, be prepared to fire on my command!". As the clones followed their orders Barriss felt her strength increase as Ahsoka landed gracefully beside her, followed seconds later my Master Shaak Ti and Master Dilrhan. The four Jedi quickly spread out along the platform, forming a small square around James as the Sith apprentice pulled both sabers from his belt and held the hilts firmly in his hands.
Before anyone could chose how to proceed Captain Rex ran down the Resolute's loading ramp and stopped by Ahsoka's side, pulling both pistols from his side and aiming them towards James' without missing a beat. "The Resolute's main guns are fixed on this position in case you try to run, lay down your weapons and surrender".
James simply smiled at the clone "Aw how cute, you even trained your clone pet to play peacekeeper. Tell me Ahsoka, how many times have fought alongside Captain Rex there?, enough to consider him a friend?". When the only answer he got from the young Togruta was silence James continued "I'll take that as a yes, well then I'd prepare yourself because this is really gonna hurt".
Sharing a confused look both Barriss and Ahsoka turned to Captain Rex as he pulled a small holo-pad from his belt and held it up as Palpatine's form appeared above it. "The time has come, execute order 66".
"...yes my lord" after strapping the holo-pad back to his belt Rex slowly removed his helmet, carelessly dropping to it to the ground as he turned to face Ahsoka. Every little movement seemed to send a jolt of pain through the clone Captain's body as he raised his pistol towards the young Togruta, trying his best to avoid Ahsoka's eyes he aimed his words to the clones surrounding the platform. "Men...the Jedi have betrayed the Republic!, be prepared to shoot on my command!".
Ahsoka crossed her green saber in front of her chest and looked to Barriss to make sure she had heard correctly "Rex?".
Rex narrowed his gaze and strengthened his grip on his pistols trigger "I'm sorry Ahsoka".
Barriss took a few steps forward, stopped in her tracks by Ahsoka's hand pressing against her waist. Sharing a silent understanding with her friend Barriss stepped back, every slight movement followed by the barrel of every blaster surrounding them. Ahsoka deactivated her saber and clipped the weapon back to her waist before meeting Rex's eyes "I won't fight back Rex, do what you must". Time slowed to a crawl as Rex kept his pistol aimed at Ahsoka's head, physically shaking as he fought to pull back on the trigger.
"I can sense your confusion Rex" Ahsoka stated calmly "this is wrong and you know it, we both know your stronger than this. Whatever Palpatine has done to you and the rest of your brothers you are strong enough to overcome, you may be a soldier Rex but you're not a murderer".
A few heart beats skipped as Rex began to lower his pistol, almost smashing the weapon when he slammed it into its holster. "Your right Ahsoka, I won't kill a friend".
"Oh enough of this!" as James stretched an arm forward Rex's entire body went rigid, a look of intense pain on his face as his hand began to grip the pistol at his side.
Rex struggled with all his strength to fight the boys influence to no avail. All the clone Captain could do was watch as the barrel of his pistol was once again raised to Ahsoka's head. Everyone around, clone and Jedi alike, stood in shock with their feet rooted firmly to their respective spots as Rex's finger pressed down on his pistols trigger and filled the silent platform with the sound of a single blaster shot. Ahsoka closed her eyes for the inevitable only to reopen them a second later when a loud thud beside her took her by surprise "no". Rex's body laid lifeless at Ahsoka's feet, a small trail of smoke still rising from his secondary pistol and a pool of blood pouring from his head.
Ahsoka fell to one knee and solemnly closed Rex's eyes before turning to face the Sith in the middle of the platform "one final chance James!, surrender or I promise you won't leave Kamino alive!".
A wicked smile crossing his lips James took a few steps backwards "well tempting as that sounds I'm afraid I have a meeting to get to, but I'm sure my troopers will be happy to deal with you". With one final bow James took off down the slim bridge leading to the next platform, strapping both his sabers to his belt as a slight will of force energy doubled his speed. Both Barriss and Ahsoka moved to chase the fleeing Sith only to be forced back by a barrage of blaster bolts from every conceivable direction.
All four Jedi ignited their respective sabers in unison, blocking and sending back what shots they could as the group of clones slowly worked their way forward. Master Shaak Ti stretched an arm forward and sent two clones off the side of the platform with a strong force push "Barriss you and Ahsoka go after the Sith!, we'll keep the clones busy and try to find a way off the planet!".
Nodding in response Barriss clipped the hilts of her sabers together and spun the double edged blade in front of her as she broke off from her friends, a built up force energy released from her sabers the second she ran up to the clones blocking the route to the next platform, sending the helpless troopers into the endless sea below as she cleared the way across the bridge. Ahsoka only a step behind her Barriss sprinted across the bridge in a matter of seconds and vaulted into the air, landing directly in front of James at the opposite end of the platform and raising her saber in front of her. James came to a sudden halt with his neck just inches from Barriss' saber "whoa beautiful, faster than I thought".
"It's over James!, no one else will die because I made the mistake of trusting a monster like you!".
James placed a hand over his heart "now come on that one hurt, not very Jedi-ish if you ask me". As Ahsoka ran up behind him James raised his hands into the air "Ahsoka me and Barriss need some alone time right now, don't worry though I have someone all ready to keep you busy, someone from your past who's just been dying to see you". James playfully laughed at his own joke as a portal of dark blue force energy appeared beside him, a figure stepping out that brought Ahsoka's heart to her throat. In the same Jedi garbs from that fateful day the female Jedi stared at Ahsoka with blank eyes, pulling the lightsaber from her side and igniting its blue blade without so much as a word in explanation.
"Kalifa!" Ahsoka had to fight the urge to rush forward and hug the girl standing in front of her, after taking a closer look at Kalifa she found the small feeling of joy ripped from her body as quickly as it had came. Although bearing a physical resemblance to the girl she met on Wasskah the look in Kalifa's eyes was nothing as she'd remembered it, the strength of a Jedi replaced instead with a blind fury that seemed to emanate into the girls very force presence.
"Very good Ahsoka" James teased wildly "I'm sure you two girls have a lot of inane chatter to catch up on, we'll just be over here". At the last of his words James floated a surprised Barriss into the air and carelessly tossed her across the platform, igniting both his sabers as he walked to catch up with her. Her boots finding no grip on the soaked platform Barriss plunged her saber into the ground to catch herself, pulling it free just as James' rushed her and brought down both his sabers on both ends of her own. "Your making a big mistake Barriss!, join me and we could defeat Lord Sidious and rule the galaxy together!".
Using both blades of her double edged saber Barriss blocked a series of vicious swings from James' sabers "you'll never turn me against my friends James, a Sith will never rise to power as long as there's a single Jedi left in the galaxy!". Barriss felt her defense weaken with every swipe from James' sabers, seconds before the Sith would of broken through a break in his attack gave Barriss the opportunity she'd been looking for. Pulling her sabers back apart Barriss swung her leg in a quick circle and knocked James from his feet, a quick slash shattering Dooku's saber into pieces as the boy fell to his back. Just when she had the time to strike a sharp jolt of pain traveled throughout Barriss' body, it's source emitting from the tips of James' free hand as he rose to his feet.
"Barriss!, I'm coming!" Ahsoka took no more than two steps across the platform before Kalifa jumped in front of her, slashing her lightsaber forward directly at Ahsoka's head. Ahsoka ducked as an intense heat passed just over her montrals and brought her main saber up across Kalifa's legs. Kalifa simply stood still as the saber passed harmlessly through her legs, forcing a confused Ahsoka back with a light force push.
Finally summoning the strength to fight against the pain Barriss brought her hand up and absorbed the stream of force lightning into her palm "Ahsoka Kalifa isn't real!, James is using your memory of her to keep you from helping me!, block your thoughts of her from your mind and she'll disappear!".
"Hey!" James bellowed "I don't poke holes in your plans!". Reluctantly ending the lightning pouring from his fingertips James rushed forward and brought his blood red saber down towards Barriss. With a quick dash to the side Barriss barely avoided the attack, not letting a single second pass before swiping at James's side. Reacting faster than she thought possible James blocked her saber with his own, using his free hand to get in a quick punch against the girls ribs before leaping backward.
Once again Ahsoka ran forward to try and help her friend, only to be cut off by another swipe of Kalifa's saber. "This isn't real!" Ahsoka all but screamed to the figure still attacking her "Kalifa died protecting her friends!, she died a hero!, your very presence is an insult to that sacrifice!". Her words only gained a sly grin from Kalifa, a look so foreign on the face Ahsoka remembered it pushed the young Togruta to her breaking point. As quickly as she could Ahsoka strapped her sabers back to her waist and clasped her hands together, focusing all her strength on the large ball of force energy that enveloped her hands.
With one final look at the girl in front of her Ahsoka pushed both her arms forward, letting loose an entire wave of force energy that spread all across the platform, dissipating Kalifa's form the second it made contact. Now out of Ahsoka's control the wave of energy soared forward and sent both James and Barriss spiraling into the air and away from the platform. Barriss quickly redirected her body as it fell towards the endless ocean below, reactivating both her sabers as a quick burst of force energy sent her sailing downward alongside the heavy rain all around her. James was also quick to gain control of the new situation as he turned his body in the air to face the girl racing towards him, sending a volley of force lightning in her direction from both of his hands.
Barriss pulled her arms against her side as she fell, calling on the force to help her evade the lightning strikes that threatened to slow her descent. In only a few seconds Barriss had caught up with James' falling form, one swipe from her main saber cutting both James' saber and the hand holding it from his body. James screamed in pain as Barriss twisted her body around and let her boots rest against the boys chest, meeting the boys fury filled eyes one last time before raising both her sabers above her head "goodbye James". Barriss forced herself to meet James' gaze as she plunged two bright green blades into his chest, watching as the life drained from his eyes before strapping the sabers back to her waist.
Her victory short lived Barriss quickly realized the waves at the end of her fall were only inches away, with no plan coming to mind she looked around just in time to see a T-6 shuttle dive out of the sky above her. Calling on all the energy she could gather Barriss pushed off of James' chest as the T-6 neared her position, her eyes staining against the rain barely made out an orange skinned arm reaching out of the ships small loading ramp. The heat from the ships thrusters almost too much to take Barriss stretched her arm out and grasped Ahsoka's hand with all her strength, a feeling of relief washing over her as she was pulled inside the ship. Relief quickly replaced with a warm sensation as Barriss landed directly on top of Ahsoka, both girls stood to their feet and rushed to the ships cockpit where Master Shaak Ti was piloting the ship away from Kamino as quickly as she could.
Master Dilrhan stood at the side of the cockpit, fiddling with a small holopad on the console in front of him for a few seconds before Master Yoda's form appeared above it. Before the Jedi Master could speak Barriss ran up to the holo-pad "Master Yoda Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord, he's ordered the entire clone army to kill all Jedi on sight!".
Master Yoda's voice was as a calm as always "send a warning to all Jedi out on assignment, we must".
"Master what about the Jedi at the temple?" Ahsoka asked "there's no way Palpatine will leave the temple standing now that his identity is out in the open".
Master Yoda took a moment to think "too late, I'm afraid it may be. But try to warn them we still can. Contact Master Windu, you must. Inform him and all remaining Jedi to meet at these coordinates, a chance to save the galaxy, we may still have".
^0^0^0^
Corusant, Jedi Temple
Anakin walked aimlessly through the halls of the temple when the faint sound of blaster fire brought his hand to his waist. Taking off at a swift run down the hall the Jedi Knight stopped at the corner leading into the archives and hugged the wall next to him, his heart beating against his chest as he quietly poked a head around the corner. Entering from the opposite side of the of the archives marched an entire battalion of clone soldiers, all expertly breaking off as the entered and filling the large hallway with a barrage of red blaster bolts as surprised Jedi began to fall faster than he could count. A fury growing inside him like never before Anakin ignited his sabers blue blade, moving to rush around the corner only for a gloved hand to pull him back into cover.
Pulling the black hood down from his head Marikane met Anakin's eyes "are you insane?, there's a bloody army out there!. Much as I'd like to see your overconfident ass blown to bits going out there is suicide".
Anakin shrugged Marikane's hand off his shoulder "I won't just stand by while the clones slaughter them!".
"Nor would I ask you too, look there's nothing we can do for them but if we don't act now there deaths will be for nothing". After gaining a simple nod from Anakin Marikane started back down the hall, waving a hand for the reluctant Jedi Knight to follow. As the two men ran down the marble hall as fast as their legs would carry them Marikane read the expression on Anakin's face. "Master Yoda got the heads up from Barriss and Ahsoka a few minutes ago, turns out the Sith lord has been Chancellor Palpatine this entire time. He's ordered the clone army to wipe out the Jedi with some secret order he had implanted in the clones at the start of the war".
"Wait...Palpatine" completely ignoring the look on Cananvi's face Anakin stopped in his tracks near the end of the hall "he was the Sith lord...no, no that can't be right".
Lost in his thoughts Anakin watched as Marikane ignited one of his black bladed sabers, stopping a blaster bolt from piercing his skull as he all but pulled Anakin around the corner. As the hall beside them erupted in blaster fire Marikane opened the first door he could find with a wave of his hand, shoving Anakin inside and quickly shutting the door behind as he stepped inside. "Look Anakin I don't care if you believe me or not!, right now we have more pressing matters than your relationship with the Chancellor!. Master Windu gave everyone strict orders to meet at the council chamber, I was assigned with finding you and ensuring the young-lings make it safely to the chamber, now I hate to say this but I'm not gonna make it there without your help, if you don't pull yourself together we're both dead you understand!".
Anakin stood in silence for a moment with his eyes distant before finally shaking himself back into the present. "Fine, lets just get moving".
"Yeah easier said than done" pulling his second saber from his waist Marikane slide the door open just enough to peer out "alright we're clear, just stay close I'd rather do this quietly". Nodding in response Anakin followed Marikane out the door, taking a quick look around before both men once again took off running down the hall. As they neared the hall leading to the young-lings training quarters Anakin looked out the halls open side across from them, stopping in his tracks at a raised hand from Marikane as the moon began to rise in the distance. As he rounded the corner Marikane thrusts both his sabers forward, piercing the armor of two clone soldiers just as they approached.
"Oh shit!" the confident smirk leaving his face instantly Marikane leaned back around the corner, narrowly avoiding a onslaught of blaster fire from the hall housing their destination. Almost laughing to himself Marikane turned to face Anakin "don't wanna jump the gun but they might know we're here".
"Perfect" Anakin said with a roll of his eyes "just keep them busy I'll go for the young-lings!".
"A plan I can get behind, took you long enough" after a few deep breaths Marikane lunged out from the halls corner, blocking a slew of lasers shots as he ran towards the group of clone soldiers at the end of the hall. Anakin quickly deactivated his saber and clipped it back to his waist before heading down the hall himself, opening the first door with a wave of his hand. Inside the small room the bodies of two clone soldiers laid in the middle of the floor as a slight movement in the corner of the room caught his eye, crouched together at the far corner sat a small group of young-lings. Upon seeing Anakin enter the only young-ling holding a training saber, a young human male with short brown hair, stood to his feet "Master Skywalker there's too many of them, what are we going to do?".
Anakin quickly ignited his saber, forcing the young-ling to take a fearful step backward as he thrusts the saber behind him seconds before the door leading into the room opened and catching a surprised clone straight through the chest. As the soldier fell to the ground Anakin stepped further into the room "we have to get to the council chamber, stick close to me and you'll be fine".
Before he could turn back to the door the young-ling with his saber still drawn tugged on his robe "Ashla's been shot Master!, we can't leave without her!". Anakin deactivated his saber as he walked across the room, the group of young-lings broke up as he approached to reveal a small Togruta female with three thin lekku bond behind her head and a dark red shirt and skirt. Kneeling down Anakin inspected the burn mark on Ashla's right leg "looks like the laser just grazed your skin" trying his best to comfort the small Togruta Anakin picked up Ashla, cradling her in his arms as he led the way to the door. With the young-lings barely a step behind Anakin entered the hall just in time to watch Marikane pounce on the last clone soldier, piercing both black blades into the clones chest before standing to his feet.
Having to step over more than a few bodies Marikane clipped both sabers to his waist as he approached Anakin, a thin smile on his lips as he spied the young-lings crowded around him. "Never figured you for a kid person Skywalker".
"Funny" Anakin replied dryly "only one's wounded, nothing a bacta-patch won't cure but you'll have to do most of the fighting".
"As usual" sharing a small grin with Anakin Marikane looked down to the young-lings "alright I want all of you to stick as close to me and Skywalker as possible, just be ready to dive for cover if I give the order, understood?". The young-lings each nodded in response, quickly breaking off and forming a single file ling behind Anakin. As the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the air around them Marikane pulled his pistol from the holster strapped to his side, carefully handing it to the small Togruta in Anakin's arms. "I've been on missions with Anakin before sweetie, guy always needs someone to watch his back, can I count on you to do that?".
Wrapping both her hands around the pistol Ashla nodded weakly, her lips tugging at a smile despite the situation "yes sir".
"I know that look young one, you're gonna make quite the Jedi" the sound of footsteps growing near with each passing second Marikane waved for all to follow as he started down the hall. At last spotting the large oval shaped door leading to the elevator Anakin allowed himself a sigh of relief, instantly regretting the action as both Marikane's sabers hissed to life. Pouring around the corner at the end of the hall a multitude of clone soldiers took cover by the elevator door, filling the hallway with laser fire as the young-lings darted for cover by the small decorative beams jutting out from the sides of the hall.
"There's too many!, Ashla climb onto my back!" with a confident nod from the small Togruta Anakin hoisted Ashla over his shoulder, holding back a groan as the girl slid her body on his back and held on to his shoulder with her free hand. Both hands now free Anakin activated his saber and began to help Marikane in sending back the barrage of laser fire to its source. As both men had their attention forced in front of them two clones appeared around the halls back entrance, slowly approaching Anakin and Marikane with their rifles drawn. Ashla squinted her clear green eyes as the clones neared, raising her pistol and firing off two quick shots before either clone had the chance to react.
The noise forcing a quick look back Anakin let a sly grin cross his face "not bad Ashla". With one final swish of his saber the last clone fell at the end of the hall, after taking a moment to check on the girl hanging from his shoulders Anakin waved for all to follow him down the hall. Marikane deactivated his sabers as they approached the elevator, stepping inside after the group of young-lings he hit the image for the top floor and finally let out a breath as the metal doors closed in front of him.
Now covered in darkness as the elevator made its way up the council chamber the large group took the moment to all catch their breath, all heads turning towards Anakin's back when soft voice told them Ashla had spoken up. "The clones are our friends Master, why are they attacking us?".
Anakin looked to his feet, knowing he didn't have the strength of heart to meet the girls eyes at this moment. "The clones are only following orders Ashla, it's the Chancellor who truly betrayed the Jedi".
"But the Chancellor serves the Republic, why would he do this?".
Anakin felt his heart drop at the innocence in Ashla's voice, when Marikane had told him about Palpatine's betrayal he had of course had his doubts. But hearing the grief stricken words of Ashla in his ear, the words of a girl who no doubt just watched some of her mentors shot down at the hands of the clones, was more than enough to drive the reality of the situation home. The Chancellor made a decision to kill everyone Anakin cared about, and he would pay for that decision. Obviously seeing the pain on Anakin's face Marikane broke the silence "don't you worry sweetie, the Chancellor will get what he deserves, just try and focus on the moment at hand okay".
Ashla nodded before burying her face in Anakin's back as the doors in front of them swung open, revealing a short empty hallway leading to the chambers closed doors. Feeling Ashla wrapped an arm around his waist Anakin ran for the door "we have the young-lings Masters". The group took a few steps back as the large doors opened, quickly stepping inside as the doors closed behind them. His eyes quickly scanning the room Anakin was surprised to see only Masters Windu and Obi-Wan looking the young-lings over "this can't be it, where's everyone else?".
Raising an eyebrow at his question Obi-Wan rose to his feet "I'm afraid the rest of the council were on assignment, we can only hope Master Yoda's warning got to them in time".
With only a few rays of moonlight to light the chamber Anakin walked across the chamber floor and peered out the window still shattered from James' exit. "Well the clones that are left have to be making their way through the temple, whatever the plan is we need to do it now while the coast is clear".
"It's not that far down" Marikane said as he floated a number of chairs in front of the chamber doors "we could just jump".
"We could" Obi-Wan agreed with a nod to the group of young-lings in the corner "but they can't, we'll have to find another way out of here".
Blocking out the resulting mix of ideas from Windu and Obi-Wan Anakin looked down the broken window in front of him, a thin smirk crossing his lips as he came up with a plan. After helping a sliding Ashla back up to his shoulders he turned to his friends, quickly clearing his throat to gain their attention. "Even if we could jump down we'd have no where to go, we need a ship".
Marikane nodded "it'll have to be fast, no way we can stay on Corusant".
"We need to regroup" Master Windu added "Coordinate an assault on the Chancellor with the remaining Jedi, I trust you have a plan Skywalker?".
"Yes Master" his eyes distant Anakin looked back down the broken window beside him. "I know one ship that may be able to get us off this planet alive, and it just so happens to be setting inside the temples docking bay. If I can sneak down there and retrieve it I'll fly back up here and we can all live to make sure Palpatine get what he deserves".
Still checking over the group of young-lings Obi-Wan pulled a small bacta-patch from his robes pocket, throwing it to Anakin with a sympathetic smile to the girl hanging on his back. "Well it's not much of a plan but it'll have to do, here I'll take Ashla for you".
"No!" turning every head in the room Ashla shook her head defiantly "I mean, I want to go, I can help you Master".
A sly grin crossing his lips Anakin shrugged towards his friends "you heard the girl, don't worry we'll be back before you know it Master". Not giving anyone else a chance to speak up Anakin turned back to the window, taking a few deep breaths before sprinting forward and letting his feet leave the floor of the chamber behind. As he fell through the pitch black sky Anakin shook all feeling from his body, the crisp night air hit relentlessly against skin, but he did not feel it, Ashla tugging hard on his neck as the girl struggled to keep her grip made it difficult for him to breath, but again he felt nothing. Even when his heart usually tugged for the thought of those he loved being in danger, for Padme', for Ahsoka, he felt nothing.
In it's place instead was blind ambition, fury, hatred, all of it focused solely on the man he thought cared about him all these years. Until Palpatine felt the cold pierce of his blade he would not let the usual foolish thoughts cloud his mind, that man...that monster would pay for betraying his trust, nothing would get in the way of that. Quickly snapping his mind back into the present he turned his body seconds before hitting the ground, landing lightly on the empty street surrounding the Jedi temple. 'The shooting no doubt scared anyone in the area away' he thought to himself 'the clones had to of set up a perimeter around the temple by now, I'll have to do this quick, but first things first'.
Moving in a fast crouch Anakin made his way along the temples outer edge, surrounded by darkness only relieved from the occasional streetlight. Once he was sure the area around them was clear he carefully slid Ashla off his back and placed the small Togruta in a patch of darkness beside him, pulling the bacta-patch from his pocket and expertly wrapping it around the girls leg. With a small grunt of pain Ashla stood slowly to her feet, giving Anakin a chance to finally observe the girl as she stepped into the light. Along with the three strapped lekku behind her back Ashla's innocent stare and petite yet athletic form gave off an image Anakin found all too familiar, so much so he had to physically shake himself out of a very real flashback to his first meeting with Ahsoka on Christophsis.
Still gripping hard on her blaster Ashla looked down the dark street ahead of her "Master I believe their is an entrance to the lower docking bay right over there". Ashla started down the street before Anakin could respond, crouching down low next to a window at the very bottom of the temples wall and waiting patiently for the Jedi Knight to join her. Anakin knelt down on the windows opposite side and peered inside, seeing the usual row of various ships including several T-6's and a few X and Y wing fighters scattered around in need of repair. As gently as he could Anakin slid the window open and lowered himself down, his boots hitting the cement floor as Ashla jumped down behind him.
After a quick look around Anakin led the small Togruta behind a nearby T-6, talking to her in a low whisper as his eyes scanned the area around them. "Make sure you set that blaster to stun, if the clones find out we're down here we're done for".
Nodding solemnly Ashla did what was asked of her, falling close in line behind Anakin as he led the way through the docking bay "Master, with time of the essence shouldn't we just take the closest ship and get out of here?".
"None of these flashy T-6 models will out fly a Republic cruiser, only one ship here is fast enough to get us out of here alive".
Ashla gave the Jedi Knight a confused look "which ship is that Master?".
Finally nearing their destination Anakin stopped in his tracks at the foot of the twilight's loading ramp "the one I've been working on for almost three years".
^0^0^0^
Obi-Wan sat down beside Master Windu at his usual seat on the council, rubbing hard at his tired eyes as yet another strong force convulsion snaked through his body. "Jedi are being slaughtered all across the galaxy, I can feel them calling out, asking for answers I cannot give them".
A rarely seen look of sadness crossed Windu's face "some of them had to get Master Yoda's message in time, if Palpatine's plan was to wipe the galaxy clean of the Jedi he has already failed".
"Yes but without enough of the Jedi left to fight back our survival will mean nothing" Obi-Wan stated.
Finally convinced the door leading into the chamber was properly barred Marikane turned to face his friends "don't forget the young-lings, even if we don't win this day they'll still live to fight another".
"Only if Skywalker gets back in time" Master Windu added "it won't take long for the clones...". As if on cue the muffled sound of footsteps approached the door to the chamber along with a low bickering of several clone troopers. Both Obi-Wan and Windu ignited their respective sabers, issuing a silent command to Marikane to move the young-lings to the very back of the chamber. The chamber door erupted into pieces as clones began to pore in, quickly filling the room with streams of red blaster fire.
Obi-Wan and Windu swung their sabers defensively as they ran in front of the young-lings, taking down a number of clones as they redirected the shots back to their source. With every clone that fell two more took his place, before long the Jedi found themselves pushed back to the rear of the chamber. A wall of blaster fire in front of them and the unforgiving wind of Corusant's night air at their back the group of Jedi readied to make one final assault when the roar of thrusters forced their heads to gaze out the broken window behind them. The twilight hovered with it's rear facing the open window as the ships loading ramp lowered to reveal Ashla standing with her pistol at the ready "come on!".
The young-lings were first jump, each crouching as low as they could as Ashla emptied her pistols clip into the chamber. Ashla threw the pistol back to Marikane as he jumped into the ship, followed seconds later by Obi-Wan and Windu. The clones left in the temple continued to fire at the twilight as the ship took off into the night sky, gracefully weaving around several skyscrapers before rising towards the stars above.