The next day, Ahsoka went to her local fitness center to exercise while her master spent his time on the destroyer and her mentor prepared for Jenna and Ahsoka's duel. She stared blankly at the weighted bar, waiting to do her bench presses. Like many Arca-knights, she believed the body should be strong to hold a mastery of mana-weilding. Therefore, she pushed her body beyond its limit at times; this was one of those times.

"I can do this," Ahsoka said to herself. She grabbed the bar and started her bench presses. As her body dwelled on the weights, her mind dwelled on her upcoming fight. Zeos was already preparing for her competition. Every second of thinking about it made Ahsoka more and more nervous.

"No. I'm her equal," Ahsoka said to herself, "I can take her. The force…the mana is strong with me." But just as she said that, her arms began to shake. The weights were stuck halfway between her rep and they suddenly began to slowly lower themselves. She was at her peak and couldn't push any further. The bar inched closer and closer and she struggled harder and harder but couldn't lift it.

"Spot!" she shouted. But no one was around to help. "Spot!" she yelled again. The Bar is right on her neck. "SPOT!" Finally she was saved; not by someone, but by herself. She was able to lift the bar again by some miracle. After racking the bar again, her arms fell straight to the ground and she began gulping air.

"Pushing a little too far?" said a female voice familiar to Ahsoka. A woman's body leaned over Ahsoka's head and rested her arms on the bar. Ahsoka stared at an upside-down Jenna Syde.

"Oh, hey Jenna," Ahsoka said as she rose from the bench.

"You'e lucky I was here

"Actually, I was hoping you and I could go hang out." Ahsoka should have known that after she noticed Jenna's outfit: a dark blue belly shirt with tight white pants, a pair of high-heeled boots, and enough jewelry to make her shine.

"I don't know, Jenna. All I brought was this." Jenna made a quick glimpse of Ahsoka's outfit. Black track pants in a red tank top and black and white sneakers. Jenna didn't say anything, but she thought it was appalling.

"That's okay," Jenna said, "Our first stop will be my favorite outfit store." Before Ahsoka could say anything else, Jenna grabbed her arm and they were out the doors.

When Jenna told Ahsoka she would buy an outfit for her, Ahsoka was simply expecting some clothing mall outlet like the ones she usually shops at. Instead, Jenna brought her new friend to a high-class boutique. It was one of Jenna's usual shopping places, so the two got access to clothes that weren't even on the shelf yet. Ahsoka was too overwhelmed to decide on an outfit. It wasn't because of how beautiful they were, it was because of how expensive it was; the cheapest thing had to have been over three-hundred dollars.

"Hey, Jenna?" Ahsoka whispered.

"Hmm?" she said, paying more attention to a year's worth of fashion she missed.

"I think we might need to find another place. I can't afford any of this stuff."

Jenna turned Ahsoka around. "Ahsoka, I told you I'll pay for it all." Jenna pulled out a small, plastic silver card out of her right back pocket.

"A platinum credit card?" Ahsoka exclaimed, "How'd you get that?"

"Sweetie, I'm the emperor's wife. My credit company begged me to take this."

"Well who's covering for the charges and interest."

"Zeos, of course." Ahsoka felt it was quite odd at how calmly she had said that. "It's not like we can ever run out of money. He' the Emperor."

"Don't you think that's a bit-"

"Oh!" Jenna exclaimed. "You have got to try this on!" She threw Ahsoka some clothes and pointed to the dressing rooms. "I'm going to find some matching shoes." Ahsoka didn't protest. She went in the dressing room, slipped in the clothes, and took a look at herself in the mirror. Jenna had given her a white tube top shirt with two black stripes going down under the arms, a pair of black pants similar style to Jenna's, and a bright red belt. Ahsoka felt the belt was unnecessary; the whole outfit felt tight enough to fuse with her skin.

After a few more checks, Ahsoka heard a knock at the dressing room door. "Try these on and come out so I can see," Jenna said outside. Over the door came a pair of red open-toed high heels to match the belt. She slipped them on and walked out to model for Jenna. Ahsoka was surprised to see Jenna with an armful of more clothes

"Hmm?" Jenna said as she scanned Ahsoka. The young Togruta did not want to change again, even though she was uncomfortable in this outfit at the start.

"You're really good at this, Jenna," Ahsoka lied, "I love this outfit!"

"Really?" Jenna asked confusingly, "I was going to give you some more choices."

"Can we get this one? I think it's perfect." Oh brother, what am I saying? She thought.

"Of course we can, and we'll buy more."

"No, no, no," Ahsoka exclaimed, which caught Jenna completely off guard. "I…" Ahsoka continued, "I…don't want to waste all my time with you at one store."

"Oh," Jenna said, "Well then let's go pay for this." Jenna threw the rest of the outfits on the rack.

"Shouldn't we hang those—"before Ahsoka could finish, they were already too far away for it to matter. Jenna started pulling the price tags off Ahsoka's new clothes and gave them to the cashier.

"Shall I wrap it up, madam," the man said jokingly.

"Oh, you're such a bitch, Ethan," Jenna said. Ethan finally scanned the last tags and Jenna handed him the credit card without even hearing the price. "So Ahsoka, maybe next we can go to a great restaurant. The head chef studied pre-war recipes from France and is—"

"Uh, Jenna sweetie," Ethan interrupted, "I think there's a problem. This card's account has been closed."

"What?" Jenna exclaimed.

"Looks like Zeos don't want you spending his money no more."

"Well, how about layaway?"

"You know we don't do that here."

Jenna was never known to enter a store and not buy something, "Pleeeeease, Ethan," Jenna asked, "You know I'm good for it." She batted her eyelashes but Ethan gave her a serious look.

"Honey, you know I don't play for that team," Ethan said without hesitation.

"Jenna, really it's okay," Ahsoka said. "I'll just take these back."

"Hold on," Jenna retorted. She turned back to Ethan and waved her hand in front of his face, a method Ahsoka was familiar with.

"You will give these items to us, free of charge," Jenna said.

"I will give these items to you, free of charge," Ethan replied.

Ahsoka, at the moment, was speechless. Ethan gave Jenna the receipt and her credit card back and left to go to the back of the store.

"Jenna!" Ahsoka exclaimed.

"Don't worry Ahsoka, it's just one little outfit."

"Yeah," Ahsoka snatched the receipt from Jenna, "An outfit worth three-hundred fifty dollars! What would Zeos think?"

"Zeos is going to be mad, but I'm going to pay it back tomorrow after this whole thing with the credit card is fixed."

"But Jen—"

"Come on, Ahsoka. We were having a fine time until this. Let's not ruin it." Jenna was unfortunately right. So Ahsoka kept quiet as they began to walk out the doors.

"Oops," Ahsoka remembered. "Hang on. I left my other clothes in the dressing room."

"Oh leave them, Ahsoka." Jenna began to be irritated.

"I'm not leaving. My bra's in there." Ahsoka rushed back in the store. She thought about paying for her new clothes, but she didn't have any money to use. She simply went back in the dressing room and grabbed all her clothes: a pair of pants, sneakers, socks, and a tank top. As she was leaving, she noticed the rest of the clothes Jenna left lying on the rack. Ahsoka, with the help of the force/mana, she put all the clothes on proper hangers and hanged them back up before she left.

After the store incident, Jenna had her chauffeur make a quick stop at the nearest bank to withdraw a thousand dollars. Ahsoka was amazed at how Jenna wanted so much money on her, even though the only place they went to was an outside restaurant. At the restaurant, Jenna ordered an authentic lemon-basted salmon served with sliced vegetables while Ahsoka had a small pasta dish with a salad. Jenna talked about anything that came to her mind: her Jedi training, the upcoming wedding, ideas of change she had when she became empress. But the one that struck the most feeling in Ahsoka was when Jenna mentioned the upcoming duel.

"Won't it be amazing?" Jenna said, "We'll be the first competitors to have Arka-knight and Jedi training." Ahsoka didn't say a word; she simply moved the pasta around with her fork. She didn't admit it, but she was still afraid of fighting Jenna.

"Ahsoka, sweetie. What's wrong?" Jenna asked.

"Nothing," she said without hesitation. Jenna shot a glare that was able to send Ahsoka's eyes back to Jenna and off the meal. Ahsoka couldn't do anything but tell her the truth. "I'm...just thinking about something."

"About what?" Jenna asked. Ahsoka didn't respond, but she didn't have to. "About the duel?"

"It's because you're more experienced than me," Ahsoka said without acknowledging the question. Jenna was slightly proud at Ahsoka's comment, but she soon realized it was not meant to be a compliment.

"Well," Jenna said, "you don't need to fight." Ahsoka stared at her with confusion. "It is rare for an Arka-knight to 'back down,' but it's not forbidden," Jenna gave Ahsoka a smile and reached for her hand. "If you don't want to fight, you don't have to."

Ahsoka smiled back. She still wasn't sure what to do, but it was nice to hear Jenna was looking out for Ahsoka. Most of all, it was nice to see Jenna as a friend.

Ahsoka sat in the library, her mind like a boomerang. Should I not show up? Should I not show up? Should I not show up? That thought kept going in her head on the drive back home and while she was home. She couldn't think of anything else the whole day besides the duel. Even while sitting in the library, the books could not break her unneeded train of thought. Should I not show up? Should I not show up?

"Okay, so it's arena nine?" someone said at the entrance. Ahsoka turned around to see it was Zeos on the phone. "And what was that about tickets? Oh, a lot of people want to go see it...I-I don't know, put the proceeds in a separate account. We'll give it to a charity or something. that all? OK, bye." Zeos hanged up and sat right next to Ahsoka. "Guess what, Red? I got you and Jenna the biggest arena in the whole temple."

"Oh, uh...great," she mumbled.

Zeos' expression went from happy to confused. "Ahsoka, whats wrong?"

"N-nothing, mentor."

Zeos knew that was a lie. He only needed to think for a moment before realizing her real problem. "Its the fight again, isn't it?"

Ahsoka let out a long sigh; she could never hide her true feelings from the perception of Zeos. "I'm...thinking of not fighting."

Zeos did not stay quiet for long after hearing that. "Ahsoka, you can't back down from the apprentice duels," He immediately retorted, "Its very traditional."

"I know, but I just don't think that-wait, I can't disqualify myself?"

"Well, you can. But doing that is a great sign or disrespect to the order. People would disown you."

"What? Jenna didn't say anything about being disowned."

"Jenna told you about this idea?"

"I said what about an idea?" Jenna asked as she entered the library. She sported a brand new white-and-gold dress with a golden bracelet and watch.

"Jenna, did you go sho-nevermind. Did you tell Ahsoka she could back out of the apprentice duels."

"Oh, no Zeos," Jenna said without hesitation, "I'd never-"

"What? Yes you did!" Ahsoka retorted.

"W-well, I might have mentioned it."

"Mentioned?" Ahsoka rose from her seat. "You suggested it!"

Zeos stood up as well. "You want to explain this, Jenna?"

"S-She want scared stiff Zeos. I thought it was a good idea at the time."

"How could quitting be a good idea, Jenna? Only three have done that and two have committed suicide."

"SUICIDE?" Ahsoka shouted.

"Zeos, please!" Jenna said, "Do you really think she'd kill herself over-"

"Thats not the point, Jenna," Zeos interrupted, "The point is quitting the duel was something you never should have mentioned."

"But Ahsoka was-"

"'Scared stiff.' I know; I also know you did it for another reason."

"What?" Jenna stood in shock. H-How did he know? she thought in fear, but tried to keep her composure. "I only said it because she was nervous."

"Then why did you try to hide it?" Ahsoka exclaimed.

"She's right Jenna."

"Well I..." Jenna hesitated, "I was worried you'd be angry, Zeos."

"That's a lie, Jenna. Your hiding truth."

"Please, sweetie. We shouldn't be saying this in front of Ahsoka."

"This involves Ahsoka and I'm not your sweetie."

"W-What?" Jenna said angrily.

"I'm your mentor first and as you mentor, I demand to know why you witheld the truth from Ahsoka."

"I just thought she shouldn't do this if it stresses her!"

"Why shouldn't she work as hard as an Arka-knight?"

"Because she's not an Arka-knight!" Jenna yelled. "She's just an alien freak here to learn our ways! She's not an Arka-knight! She's not a Eutopean! She's not even my equal!"

The entire room laid silent aside from Jenna's deep, angered breaths. But as she calmed down, Jenna realised how Zeos took it. His eyes were burning in anger and an aura of heat fumigated from his body. Even Just as he was about to scream louder than his lungs could handle, his body calmed.

"You're right, Jenna," Zeos said, "Ahsoka is not your equal." The two girls were more surprised than when they were given their black diamonds. Jenna was happy but Ahsoka was furious. "In fact," Zeos continued, "she is far from your equal." Jenna was filled with pride from every word. Ahsoka clenched her fist tight with burning rage. She was about to yell at Zeos louder than she had ever yelled before. But Zeos ended her rage by finishing his sentence: "because she is stronger than you ever will!"

The girls jumped back from the sudden burst of anger. Zeos burned in rage and the fuel was Jenna's ridiculing comments. "I finally see now," Zeos spoke, "that the reason your training took four and a half years was because you started to slack off!"

"W-what?" Jenna questioned in a fearful tone.

"After your test of spirit in the wastelands three years ago, you limited your training. You grew weak on purpose. While Ahsoka proved fruitful during her trial. She trains like she will fight gods, like she will fight the angel herself!"

"But Darling-"

"Don't 'darling' me! I am not your husband now; I am your mentor. And as your mentor, I am disappointed in your progress. But no longer. From now on, Jenna, you will train everyday within the temple and when you are done, you will come straight home and go nowhere else."

"But Zeos-"

"No excuses!" the mentor shouted. "And you, Ahsoka. You will fight in the apprentice duels, no matter how afraid you are. Understand?"

Ahsoka bowed her head immediately. "Yes, mentor," she said calmly.

"Good," Zeos said. "Now both of you go to bed, it's late," Zeos turned to Jenna syde, "I expect to see you tomorrow at the front of the temple."

Jenna let out a sigh before answering. "Yes, Zeos."

"Yes WHAT?" Zeos exclaimed.

"Yes...mentor," Jenna swallowed the remainder of her pride. The two students walked away from Zeos while he sat alone holding his head. Just as the two walked upstairs to the bedroom hallway, clear from their mentor's eyes, Jenna spoke.

"Ahsoka, why did you-" that was all Jenna could say. Ahsoka did not hesitate to shut her up. She grabbed Jenna's throat and slammed her to the wall. Ahsoka's gaze was pure anger as she held the throat of her enemy. She leaned closer to Jenna who gasped for air as much as she could.

"If you ever say I am not an Arca-knight again," Ahsoka whispered darkly, "I'll make you regret it." Ahsoka took a final squeeze on Jenna's neck before letting go. Jenna fell to the floor gasping for air. She looked up to find Ahsoka walking away, not even looking back. Jenna was furious at the alien. She held her throat, realising she wasn't strong enough to fight her. But she knew that soon she will put Ahsoka in her place.

I...have no excuse for this being so late. I have a serious problem with organization and an addiction to my little pony on Youtube and I apologise. But I hope this chapter was well worth the wait.