One year has passed! Separatist forces have gained many planets by either political diplomacy, or military victory. The republic is forced to stay on defensive measures to keep the droid hordes at bay. This has caused yet another stalemate within the war. Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Anakin Skywalker has completed the brief training of his new padawan, Jenna Syde. Now they wait for the completion of Ahsoka Tano on planet Earth.
The balcony was silent as Anakin thought about the past. Jenna's training was completed in record time. The Jedi arts were obviously trained by Anakin and she studied politics with numerous senators; she even had a discussion with the chancellor. Anakin was proud of her progress, but he still couldn't forget his young padawan. He had been staying at the Jedi temple for months now, waiting on any news or contact from Zeos or Ahsoka. After hours of standing in the briefing room, Anakin needed to clear his head. He went to the nearest balcony to get some fresh air. The sun was setting over the horizon, a very calming sight. Outside, he kept thinking of Ahsoka. He missed having her by his side, her strong combative skills; he even missed her snippy attitude.
"Is everything alright, master," said a woman in an elegant tone familiar to Anakin. He turned around to find Jenna. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her outfit was similar to that of Obi-wan's, except for the kimono being cut to show off her stomach. He smiled, remembering her training since day one. She was trained in the force, thanks to the Arca-Knights. She breezed through the Jedi art, lesson by lesson and was very passionate about her work. Anakin was proud to call her "padawan."
"Thinking about her again?" she continued.
"Yeah," he replied. Jenna smiled as she walked to her master's side. They both stared in the sky, enjoying the view of sunlight gleaming off the shining towers. Jenna, however, had her mind filled with flashbacks of her galactic voyage. Although constricted in Republic territory, she has seen so many amazing planets. She almost didn't want to go back home; back to her deadly, desert continent in her city bonded by walls older and stronger than that of ancient China's. As she continued to think, it was Anakin who broke their silence.
"How do you think she's doing?" he asked.
"Well, it's been a year. I bet she's really strong. She'll almost be a match for you." Jenna punched Anakin gently on the arm and the two chuckled. They continued to think separately, but Jenna thought of a certain question.
"Master, how has my training gone?"
"You?" Anakin said confusingly, "Your training has gone great. Why do you ask?"
"You never tell me…Did you ever tell Ahsoka?"
"I…I don't think so." That question brought up much sadder memories of Ahsoka. Memories of their arguments, his criticism; Jenna could sense his unhappiness and immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry, master. I shouldn't keep bringing her up."
"It's alright. I just miss her." Anakin still was a little upset, but Jenna had an idea.
"I thought Jedi were forbidden to have connections," she said with a smirk. Fortunately, it was enough for Anakin to feel better, so the two laughed it off. Suddenly, Anakin's holoprojector started beeping. Anakin activated it and an image of Obi-wan appeared.
"What is it, Obi –wan?" Anakin asked his old master.
"Anakin, we just received a message from Ahsoka's Holoprojector. It Zeos-"
"My Zeos?" Jenna shouted and nearly head butting Anakin to see the projection of Obi-wan. "What's the message?"
"Jenna!" Anakin pushed her away so he could see. Obi-wan continued, "Don't worry, Jenna. I'm sending the recording now."
The projection turned off and the two waited with excitement. Moments later, a hologram of Zeos came on. He was wearing a grey and black waist-high kimono with a pair of grey pants and sandals.
"Greetings, Jedi council," said the image.
"Zeos…" Jenna spoke in a loving tone.
The hologram continued, "Chances are you're showing this recording to the earthen emissary." Zeos started to wave, "Hi, babe; can't wait to see you again. But I'll cut to the point: Ahsoka Tano's training is complete. Anakin and Jenna may return to Earth."
The transmission turned off. Neither could believe what they just heard. The assimilation program is over; Ahsoka is waiting for Anakin and Zeos is waiting for Jenna.
"We're going back?" Jenna asked, still surprised.
"We're going back!" Anakin shouted.
"We're going back!" Jenna shouted with him. They two hugged each other, continuously shouting, "We're going back!"
"Anakin," Obi-wan said, but the two were too loud and happy to hear him. "I'm still on the- Anakin! Oh, never mind."
Zeos waited on the platform patiently as her saw a space shuttle flying to his position. It was Anakin's Twilight and on board was the general himself as well as Zeos' future wife. As the shuttle landed, Zeos tried to straighten himself out. He wasn't expecting a response so fast, so unfortunately he was in the same outfit the message was sent. He immediately stopped detailing his looks as he heard the shuttle opening.
The Twilight opened and Jenna did not waste a minute. She ran out to Zeos with happiness pushing her father toward him.
"Zeos!" she shouted.
"Jenna!" he replied just as loud. He expected a simple hug, but she immediately jumped right on top of him. He fell right on his back, but Jenna didn't care. She started to make out with him right on the floor. The kiss was incredibly passionate to Zeos; he was half expecting Jenna to rip his shirt off at how much love she had right at that moment.
"Wow!" Zeos said when Jenna finally pulled her lips off his. "I should send you away more often."
"Greetings, emperor Zeos," said Anakin as the two got off one another.
"Hello Anakin," Zeos replied. He got back on his feet and straightened himself out. "How was my wife's training?"
"It was…" Anakin stopped at the beginning and looked around; Ahsoka was nowhere in sight.
"Where is Ahsoka?" he asked.
"Ha! Knowing her, she's probably at the Arcanum temple."
"You didn't bring her?" questioned Jenna.
"Yeah. I wanted this to be a surprise for her." Zeos whistled for his car, "Let's go."
To Anakin, the temple was a marvel; two enormous pyramids connected to a rectangular building. It was colored light grey but held two white banners and what appeared to Anakin was a blue woman with wings. But the most surprising to Anakin was that the land surrounding this building held grass, green as the hills of Naboo.
When the three entered the temple, an Arca-knight spoke that Ahsoka was in arena 3. Knowing where that was, Zeos led the way. As they ran to their destination, Anakin searched his surroundings. He was astonished at the Arca-knight's' practices: they were balancing on small sticks, groups were levitating, one had elemental orbs orbiting themselves, and someone was even able to accelerate the growth of a seed to make a flower in seconds.
His eye wandering stopped, however, when Zeos' forearm met with Anakin's chest. After the oomph, Anakin looked forward to find them at the entrance of a small coliseum. This must be arena 3, Anakin thought; he also thought why they haven't entered it.
"I've got an idea," said Zeos. Instead of walking inside the entrance, Zeos turned right and went up a flight of stairs. Jenna and Anakin followed until they reached a floor completely empty. Anakin heard the small clang of metal and the shouts of girls fighting. Zeos crouched down as he walked to the edge of the room, peering over to see in the fighting ring. Zeos turned to Jenna and Anakin; he gestured at them to stay quiet and to come over.
As they walked to them, Anakin was the first to look over. And there she was: Ahsoka Tano, now one year older and more powerful. As Anakin peered over, he could sense the very power emanating out of the ring. Every offensive and defensive maneuver sent out a burst of power. Every deflection, every slice, every clang, every…clang? He thought.
Then, Anakin realized that she wasn't holding a lightsaber; she was wielding two thin, metal swords. Zeos could sense the confusion from Anakin; it was only a matter of time before he asked the question.
"Their called katanas," Zeos whispered. Anakin looked at Zeos. Anakin didn't care how Zeos knew he was curious about the swords. What mattered to him was, "What's happened to her lightsaber?"
"It's tradition for an apprentice to practice with a primitive weapon before they use a lightsaber." Zeos peered over and realized that Ahsoka and her sparring partner were on opposite ends of the arena, ready for round two. "Oh, hey watch! This is going to be good."
Ahsoka and her opponent immediately charged, meeting dead center in the ring. The Togrutans' blades were inches from Jesse's neck; the only things keeping from her friend's throat were her daggers and her strength. Jesse was Ahsoka's greatest friend and was a much better opponent than the sparring slaves. Ahsoka could always count on Jesse to help her be pushed to the limit.
"Had enough, girlfriend?" asked Jesse, sarcastically.
"I've had enough when I beat you," replied Ahsoka with just as much sarcasm.
"Suit yourself." Jesse immediately used all her strength and pushed forward. Ahsoka was pushed back only a few inches, but it was more than enough for Jesse. She slipped between Ahsoka's legs, but only halfway. Stabbing the ground with her weapons, Jesse gained extra power and kicked Ahsoka in the back.
As she fell, Ahsoka sheathed her swords and rolled forward. She was in a crouched position as she grabbed one of her katanas and attempted to cut Jesse. Jesse avoided the attack by doing a front flip. Unfortunately, she lost her footing; this gave Ahsoka the Opportunity she needed. She unsheathed her other sword and charged. Jesse regained her balance and blocked both of Ahsoka's blades with one dagger. Ahsoka was still pushing on her, so using her free hand, Jesse used her inner mana and shot an air palm to Ahsoka's stomach. This was just what Ahsoka wanted. She spun right to dodge it; as she was spinning, she successfully made two small cuts on Jesse's right side.
Ahsoka flipped back twice to get some distance from Jesse. The two stared at each other, weapons drawn. However, Ahsoka had the upper hand. Using her mana-wielding abilities, she caused inflammation to Jesse's two minor wounds. The sudden shock of pain made Jesse grab her side and like a hellcat, Ahsoka pounced. She mana-leaped forward; before Jesse could react, Ahsokas' Katanas were right at her friend's neck.
"I thought we agreed no pain enhancement," said Jesse.
"Nope," replied Ahsoka, "it was no element manipulation." As the two laughed, Zeos had yet another idea.
"Walk down and take the front entrance to surprise her," he whispered.
Anakin Agreed. Jenna and he took the stairs; Zeos, however, decided to take the extreme way. He jumped down and landed right in the ring. Jesse jumped from shock, but Ahsoka could sense he was up there. There were two more traces that she sensed, but they left.
"Excellent work, my apprentice," Zeos said.
"Thank you," Ahsoka responded and bowed, "Maloran Sensei." Zeos made a small chuckle; he found it amusing that a free spirit such as hers can be disciplined at the same time. "Jesse, can you give us a moment alone?" he asked.
"Of course, Emperor," said Jesse while bowing to him, "I'll see you around, Red."
"Yeah, you too."
As they walked to the entrance, Zeos spoke to his apprentice. "You've certainly grown strong, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka sensed something. Apparently, Zeos became tense, like he was afraid or he was hiding something. Ahsoka grew tense as well; the last time he felt this way was no less than a month ago. When she saw the more...horrifying life of the Arca-Knights. Could those two lifeforms she sensed have a connection? Nevertheless, she played along, "Yes sensei," she replied.
Zeos could sense her tensing attitude as well. He couldn't resist; he played along just to tease her. "I'd say you are almost finished." Ahsoka stopped in her tacks; those words were too familiar to her, just like he wanted. "You just have-"
"Zeos!" Ahsoka interrupted, "The last time we had a talk like this was when I was took the test of spirit...against my will."
"Hey! I tried to talk you out of that," Zeos Retorted.
"But you didn't explain it when you could have." Zeos took a few more steps to block her view of the entrance. He sensed her surprise was coming.
"No more tricks," Ahsoka said. She took an angled step back and put her hand on her hip. It looked like just a sassy pose, but she used her ring finger to secretly pull out a small knife from a hidden thigh pocket. She continued to speak, "What are you hiding this time."
Zeos kept quiet; he was stalling for Anakin. Thankfully, it only took about three seconds. Zeos smiled and simply walked to the side. Ahsoka's eyes still followed him, but they shot right back to the front gate. There, in his brown and black robe, was Anakin Skywalker; her old master. Ahsoka was speechless. Her jaw dropped and the feeling of joy overthrew her body.
She started running to her master, but accidentally dropped the knife she was hiding. Zeos heard the clanging drop and looked at the blade. "Wha- Ahsoka, were you gonna sta- Bwah!" Ahsoka had pushed Zeos out of the way. In a final sprint, Ahsoka slammed into Anakin's chest and hugged him tightly. Like a normal reaction, Anakins' arms were out with a confused look on his face. But he soon smiled and hugged back. As Ahsoka let go, she wiped away the tears of joy.
"Tears for seeing me again," Anakin asked.
"Tears for seeing you alive," she responded with a little cracking in her voice. "I was worried you'd be dead without me."
"Don't worry, Snips, I took good care of him," Jenna said, bumping Anakin's shoulder.
"Gee, I wish I could say the same," The three looked behind Ahsoka. Zeos was shouting behind them. "Thanks for trying to crack my ribs, Ahsoka."
"Well, if you weren't in my path, I wouldn't have pushed you."
"Ha ha, very funny." Jenna walked to her husband's side and Zeos wrapped his arm around her.
"Look at this," he said and gestured to Anakin and Ahsoka. "Two bonds, once broken, now re-forged even stronger."
Sorry this took a week longer, guys. The fight scene being described was very difficult to write. But this is the end of chapter 10, so bonus! I've got to say, personally, this ending doesn't feel like my best. When I imagine the fight, it seems too short and I wanted a lot more emotion in the ANI-Soka moment. Oh well, I'll just get better with time and then keep updating. Chapter 11, coming soon. I'm not sure what the main focus should be, but I know how to get it. Tell me my friends, what would you like Chapter 11 to be about?