Hello once again, everybody! How are all of you? This is SuperHeroTimeFan speaking, and I am back with another new chapter for Path of the Padawan! Thank you, Christian Jedi, JacklyinKarst, Logan GC, RozenMaiden7, KrautYank, Ocnarf, and many of the Guests for reviewing and liking my story so much! It all means so much to me! Now, before I start my tenth chapter of the story, I would like to address everyone's questions. Ocnarf, I read your review saying that I included the Expanded Universe. In truth, I used the Expanded Universe as a term for the Star Wars universe. KrautYank, your ideas and suggestions on Halo are interesting, but the truth is, I'm not confortable with Halo, due to it being a Rated M game, so I don't think I can use it, sorry. I hope that I answered everyone's questions and concerns. Now, before I start my new chapter, I would like everyone to thank The Christian Jedi. Without his help, I would have never made it this far. Now, without further adieu, here is Chapter 10 of Path of the Padawan! Please review, rate, and of course, enjoy!
Chapter 10: Gambit
Coruscant, Jedi Temple…
Striker snuck around the Jedi Temple, searching for weaponry that the ORDER could use. As he looked and snuck around, Victor Deacon smirked to himself. A universe like is sure to be worth some profit and smuggling. Striker thought to himself. As he continued to think, he came across a room. Striker stood up and chuckled. "This should be the Hall of Jedi." He told himself. Striker chuckled quietly as he silently activated a phase-shifting device to allow him to enter the secure room.
Once inside, Striker saw many statues of the great Jedi of the past. From Pong Krell, Even Piell and Nahdar Vebb to all deceased Jedi of the Jedi Order, their lightsabers stood in front of their statues with two candles beside them. Striker chuckled as he looked at all of the fallen lightsabers. "This is a piece of cake." Striker remarked to himself as he walked over to retrieve the lightsabers. Unbeknownst to him, the minute he entered the great hall, a silent alarm was set off. Serra Keto started to run to the hall as fast as she could.
Striker admired all of the lightsabers of fallen heroes. "This looks like quite the free discount." Victor quipped to himself. Just then, he heard two lightsabers activate behind him. "We're not selling anything." A female voice said. Striker sarcastically sighed and turned to see Serra Keto with her twin green lightsabers activated. Striker chuckled. "I assume you must be the late-night guard?" Striker asked. Serra kept her Jar'Kai position and raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what that means, but you are under arrest for trespassing on sacred grounds." Serra stated.
Striker chuckled under his helmet. "Blondie, I don't want any trouble, so I'll just collect my lightsabers for Sylas and be on my way." Striker snapped back. Serra gasped. "You work for Sylas?! Where is he?!" she demanded. Striker laughed as he reached for Pong Krell's double-bladed lightsabers. With the activation of the two hilts, Striker stood ready to fight. "If you want to know where the ultimate master is, then you'll have to beat me." Striker quipped. Serra smirked. "Are you ready to be smacked down?" she asked snippily. Striker cackled as he walked towards her slowly, spinning the lightsabers. Serra backed away as she looked to the man nervously. She immediately lunged forward with a Makashi strike, but Victor used a Soresu block to counter the attack. "I expected more, so sad." Striker exclaimed. Serra growled as she clashed with him. Striker was forced onto the defensive as he started to back away. After a while, the two engaged each other in a blade lock. Striker broke them off and telekinetically pushed her away. Serra grunted as she fell to the ground.
As she was getting up, Striker shot a dart from out of his gauntlet. Serra gasped as the dart hit her neck. The last thing she saw was Striker getting every other lightsaber before she fell into unconsciousness.
Earth-16, Mount Justice January 25th 1528 hours
Ahsoka walked down the hall with M'gann and Zatanna, talking with each other. "It's always such a pleasure to be talking with you two." Ahsoka complimented the two girls. M'gann chuckled as she threw her hair around. "You've learned to make some good progress from bonding with the Team." The Martian Female stated. Ahsoka chuckled. "I know. There's just one person I'm not so sure about." Ahsoka replied back. Zatanna placed a hand on her shoulder and scoffed. "Let me guess: Robin?" Zatanna asked. Ahsoka nodded. "He seems so mysterious from time to time, and it seems like he never takes things seriously." Ahsoka complained. Zatanna chuckled. "He's a softie, so don't worry." M'gann reassured her. The three girls chuckled as they entered the Mission Room.
From the other entrance to the Mission Room, Artemis and Wally were talking with Robin. "I don't know about it, guys. Ahsoka just seemed to make things a lot more difficult ever since she arrived." The Boy Wonder stated. Wally placed a hand over his shoulder. "You can trust her. I mean, you trusted me, and maybe it's time for you to show some of your true colors." The speedster negotiated. Artemis scoffed. "What does that mean?" she asked. Wally looked to her and smirked. "Only I know his true identity. Rob entrusted it to me because he felt I could be trusted." Wally explained, gaining an elbow in the chest from Robin. "Look, Robin, I think that you should at least give Ahsoka a chance." Artemis said. Robin scoffed with skepticism. "You mean after she made me go under a box in Kenya as stealth? Heh, I don't think so." The Boy Wonder retorted. The three reached the Mission Room, where they saw Ahsoka, M'gann and Zatanna on the other side.
The two groups started to approach each other. "How's it going, Zatanna?" Robin asked his girlfriend. Zatanna shrugged and gave an iffy gesture. "I'm fine, more or less." She stated. M'gann looked to Robin and smiled. "I see that you wiped off that lipstick." M'gann stated. Robin scoffed and rubbed his cheek. "Yeah, I was not about to be seen with lipstick on my face for the rest of my life." The Boy Wonder retorted. Ahsoka chuckled and looked to Robin playfully. "Are you still upset about being a distraction in Kenya?" Ahsoka asked honestly. The Boy Wonder scoffed. "You have no idea." He spat back. Ahsoka shot a glare at Robin, in which he did the same.
Before things could get worse and arise, Batman entered the room. "Straighten up." Ahsoka whispered to everyone. The rest of the Team entered the room and looked immediately to the Dark Knight. They all ran up and went in position. "There is a mission of the upmost importance for you." Batman reported. Robin nodded. "What's going on?" the ward asked. Batman brought up a holoscreen and showed two prison-looking buildings. "For the past week, Arkham and Blackgate prisoners have been reported missing." Batman explained. Ahsoka looked to the other cameras showing the city of Gotham and looked away sadly. This Gotham is just like Coruscant. It's nothing but an underworld to the populace. Ahsoka mentally stated. "Joker, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Hush, Killer Croc, Victor Zsasz, Clayface, and even Catwoman have been reported missing. It is appropriate to deduce that they are in league with the Light, and that they are planning on a rendezvous somewhere in Gotham City. I am assigning you all to investigate the matter of the situation immediately." Batman ordered. As the Team nodded in confirmation, Ahsoka stepped up and scoffed. "You treat this underworld as if it were the greatest place on Earth." Ahsoka retorted. Artemis, Robin and Batman all started to glare at her. "Where are you getting at?" Robin asked. Ahsoka chuckled and turned around. "Matters like this are left unnoticed by the Jedi Order. I say we just let that wretched hive of scum and villainy do whatever they please. We are out of their jurisdiction anyways." Ahsoka remarked. M'gann looked around in disbelief before chuckling and walking up to Ahsoka. "A book should never be judged by its cover." M'gann reminded her friend. Robin walked up and sighed. "Despite its appearance, Gotham is worth fighting for. It's where Batman was born as a vigilante, so Gotham is important to him." The Boy Wonder stated. Ahsoka gasped silently and looked back to the Dark Knight.
"What are your intentions on saving such a hive like Gotham?" Ahsoka questioned. Batman remained stoic and gave the BatGlare. "I have my reasons." He deadpan stated. Ahsoka sighed and looked to the Team. "Well, if the place is that worth saving, then let's go." She remarked. Aqualad nodded as Robin stepped up. "Let's get a move on." He quipped, running to the Zeta Tube. The rest of the Team laughed and followed. Batman just stood where he was and sighed. "Someday, but just not today, Ahsoka." Batman said to himself.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple Council Chambers…
The next morning, Anakin and Serra stood before the Jedi Council with stress. Serra was still recovering from her battle with the mysterious assassin last night, and she was feeling a bit guilty for being defeated so easily. Mace Windu looked to the Padawan and stood up. "Padawan Keto, what do you last remember before being found?" the great swordsman asked. Anakin looked to Serra, who just sighed. "There was this man, he felt like he was trained in some corrupt ways of the Force." Serra explained while looking down meekly at her feet. Anakin looked to the Padawan learner in confusion. "Was this man trained in the ways of the Dark Side?" the Chosen One asked. Serra nodded no. "It didn't seem like it, Master Skywalker. He actually mentioned that he was working for a man named 'Sylas'." Serra exclaimed. Anakin and the Council's eyes immediately widened with shock. "Sylas sent him." Anakin deducted. Obi-Wan nodded as the Council started to turn to Master Yoda for advice. "Hmm, find out more about this Sylas, you must." Yoda said. Anakin and Serra looked to him. "He might be behind the reason Ahsoka's missing." Anakin pointed out. "A possibility we must not overlook, it is." Yoda added on. "Yes, Master Yoda." Anakin respectfully said. With that, the meeting was adjourned.
Earth-16, Gotham City 1610 hours
Ahsoka and Robin ran stealthily and silently throughout the roofs of Gotham city, with the Team following right behind them. Robin looked to Ahsoka and scoffed. "You show a lot of disregard for crime." The Boy Wonder stated. Ahsoka sighed as she turned to see Robin. "You show a lot of regard, don't you think so?" she asked. Robin chuckled. "Disregard, regard, I don't really see a difference besides the gard, as in guard every haven on Earth." Robin spat back. The Team stopped running and leaping on top of a large mansion as Ahsoka looked to Robin with a concerned and frustrated look on her face. "Why can't you ever take anything seriously?" she asked exasperatingly. Robin scowled and glared at her. "You don't know anything about the burden I carry." He spat back. Before anything else could arise, Superboy heard a girlish cackling. "What's that?" he asked.
Ahsoka unsheathed her lightsaber hilts and looked around. Robin unsheathed his Bola Staffs as well and started to search. Finally, he caught sight of a clown in a harlequin-like costume design. "That's Harley Quinn!" Robin yelled. The Team turned and looked to her. She seemed to be looking at something else, or waiting for someone. "This seems to easy." Artemis stated. Ahsoka nodded. "What's our plan, Aqualad?" Ahsoka asked to the leader. Kaldur thought for a moment. "We take her from all sides." The Atlantean proposed. Ahsoka smiled and looked beside her. "Let's go, Rob–" Ahsoka started out, but her eyes widened when she saw that the Boy Wonder was gone. "Where'd he go?" she asked the Team. Just then, as if her question was answered, the Team saw Robin fighting Harley Quinn all by himself. "Why does he do that?" Ahsoka asked while she threw her arms around. Kid Flash walked up beside her and started to whisper. "See, Robin always does his ninja vanish without telling us. It really annoys you at first, but he'll start to grow on you eventually." The speedster explained. Ahsoka awed in understanding and nodded. The Team then jumped after the Boy Wonder to take down the feminine clown.
Robin ducked and attacked at many of Harley Quinn's dangerous dagger slashes. "Ya know, Boy Wonder, you just might be my type." Harley Quinn stated. Robin scoffed. "And all this time I was thinking that the Joker would be here to save you this time." Robin retorted. The female jokester chortled enviously. "There are a lot of things you need to learn about us, Boy Bleeder." Harley Quinn snapped. At that moment, Ahsoka barged in just as Harley was about to thrust a dagger into the Boy Wonder's chest. Robin looked to Ahsoka and scoffed. "I had that all under control!" he yelled. Ahsoka scoffed and gave an iffy gesture. "I doubt it." She remarked. Harley got up and cackled. "So, you're Ahsoka Tano!" Harley Quinn remarked. Ahsoka chuckled as she activated a lightsaber. "Let's see what the clowns have to perform today." Ahsoka quipped. Harley looked in mild confusion as the rest of the Team started to surround her. "I'll show you, but you have to catch me first!" Quinn quipped to the quick quarry. At that moment, she dashed off towards the chemical plant up ahead. Rocket growled. "Follow her!" Aqualad demanded. The Team nodded as they started t chase after the demented clown.
Harley Quinn laughed as she entered the Chemical Plant. The Team entered, but all of a sudden, the lights flickered on and the doors closed behind them. "It's a trap!" Superboy yelled. Harley Quinn turned around and cackled again. "I got you, didn't I?" she asked. At that moment, an explosive arrow was shot at her mouth. Ahsoka and Robin looked to a stoic Artemis with her crossbow drawn. "I was thinking of doing the same thing." Ahsoka stated. Artemis nodded happily and looked to the fallen clown.
Just then, a larger and much more annoying laughter filled the room. The Team looked around to see that many of the escaped criminals from Arkham and Blackgate were surrounding them. From the top level of the catwalk came the Joker. "Welcome to the slaughterhouse, kiddies!" Joker quipped evilly. Ahsoka looked to the Crown Prince of Crime and shivered. "You are one demented madman." She stated in a crept out voice. Joker smiled and looked down with his eyes wide open. "How lucky can a madman be?" he asked sinisterly. The Team stood prepared to fight as the escapees started to close in on them, all being led by Catwoman. "I was hoping to kill off Batman, but I get to murder the sidekicks and the new girl as well." He remarked. Ahsoka pointed her azure lightsaber at the clown and scowled. "You're in for a big disappointment." She quipped. Aqualad nodded as the rest of the Team unsheathed their weaponry and prepared for battle. Catwoman chuckled and pointed her clawed hand towards the Team. "Kill and bury, men." She darkly ordered. The criminals all laughed as they charged in to attack the Team.
Joker watched as the Team started to take down his goons. While Rebel started a gunfight with the gunman Hush, Artemis started to take on Victor Zsasz. "Where'd the Boy Blunder and his new friend run off to?" Joker asked himself. At that moment, Robin came out from behind him, tackling an awakened Harley Quinn. Joker watched in amusement as the two tumbled and turned against each other. "That answers my first question, but where's that girl?" Joker asked nonchalantly. As if his question was answered, Ahsoka came out from the ceiling and kicked the Joker away. Joker grunted as he regained himself. He started to chuckle as he looked to Ahsoka. "You've got some nice moves there, girl." The Prince of Crime stated sarcastically. Ahsoka rolled her eyes and pointed her shoto at the Joker. "Yeah, I'll send you to the perfect place." Ahsoka remarked. "If prison isn't good enough, then to Hell you go!" she yelled out. Ahsoka then thrust her lightsaber at Joker. The Prince of Crime dodged every time and laughed as Ahsoka attempted to land a hit on him. "Come back here!" Ahsoka yelled.
As the two ran away to fight, Robin and Aqualad continued to keep the criminals at bay. As Kid Flash darted against Catwoman, his eyes started to widen. She has that same Golden Phoenix insignia on her! Wally thought to himself as he looked over to her cat suit. While he was gazing, Catwoman ran alongside him and used her finger to make a cut at him. Kid Flash gasped as he noticed the cut. "Ow!" he yelled. To the rest of the fighters' surprises, Catwoman started to make cuts at the rest of the Team. "What is she doing?" Harley Quinn asked herself. While she was standing in confusion, Robin jumped into the air and dropkicked her.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka continued to slash at Joker. "You'll have to be a much better swordsman if you want to bout this king!" the Joker quipped. Ahsoka growled as she sent one powerful Force-Push towards the Prince of Crime. The Joker yelled as he was thrown back. "For once, I'd like to be in some sort of story where I would win!" he muttered to himself as he backed against a wall. Ahsoka raised an eyebrow and activated her lightsabers once again. "I don't know what you mean, but it won't matter soon enough!" she yelled. The Joker chuckled as Ahsoka ran towards him with her glowing swords. "Now!" he yelled. At that moment, Joker pressed his flower and unleashed a large amount of gas. Ahsoka backed away and started to cough as she deactivated her lightsabers. Robin cuffed Harley Quinn and looked over to where Ahsoka was and gasped. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. Ahsoka started to get on her knees and chuckle. "Was that supposed to… hurt?" she asked in a somewhat happy tone of voice. The Joker smiled as Ahsoka started to laugh uncontrollably. "What is this?!" she asked as she held back some tears of laughter. The Joker chuckled and spread his arms out. "You have just been lucky enough to experience the true meaning of laughter! My laughing gas will not only show you humor, but kill you in the progress!" Joker exclaimed. Robin looked down to Harley Quinn and punched her into unconsciousness. He then ran towards Joker and used Ahsoka's fallen shoto to incapacitate him into unconsciousness. After doing that, Robin panted as he ran over to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, are you alright?" he asked. Ahsoka chuckled dryly and then started to cough. Robin reached for his utility belt and pulled out a needle. "Don't worry, you'll be alright." Robin reassured the Ex-Jedi. Ahsoka looked up to Robin and weakly nodded, but she was still affected by the gas. Robin sighed and smiled as he injected the antidote into Ahsoka, just as she fell asleep.
Robin smiled as Ahsoka started to regain consciousness. "Did… we win?" she asked. Robin chuckled and nodded. As Ahsoka got up, her eyes widened with surprise as the Joker was closing in on them with a pocketknife. Ahsoka pushed Robin aside and sent a mighty Force-Push towards the Crown Prince of Crime. The Joker yelled as he was sent through a wall and out into the streets. Robin looked behind to see the Joker being pushed away and started to pant. "Thanks." He stated weakly. Ahsoka started to pant as well as the villains and the rest of the Team started to faint. Ahsoka looked around and saw some more gas. "Knockout gas." She exclaimed before falling into unconsciousness again. Robin did the same as Catwoman watched over them with a gasmask on her. "Sayonara, scum." She spat at the large group before leaving. The Team started to faint as Ahsoka weakly opened her eyes one last time. Ahsoka saw just a black blur enter the room before officially starting losing consciousness.
Mount Justice 1958 hours
Ahsoka blinked several times before looking up to see a light. She sprang right up and looked around. The rest of the Team was still unconscious, but she was feeling fine. "Oh my, are you all alright?" she asked the Team. At that moment, Robin started to awaken. He looked over to Ahsoka and smiled. "I think we're all fine." He stated. Ahsoka smiled and felt an IV needle in her arm. Batman entered the room and looked to the Team. "You all performed with flying colors. I'll be sure to wake the others up when it's time." He stated. Ahsoka smiled and pulled out the IV needle. "Thank you, Bats." Ahsoka said. Even though he tried to get her blood sample the first day she arrived at the Cave, Ahsoka somehow felt that she could trust Batman enough to heal her. The Dark Knight nodded and took the IV needle before leaving the room.
Ahsoka looked over to Robin and smiled. "Thank you, Robin." Ahsoka said. "Thank you, for everything." She added on. Robin coughed and chuckled. "No problem, Ahsoka." Robin said. Ahsoka's eyes then widened at the next thing Robin did: lift off his mask. "I appreciate the honorifics, but you can call me Dick Grayson." Dick said. Ahsoka started to stutter at the sight of Robin without his mask. "It's your turn now." He quipped. Ahsoka chuckled and blushed. "I can't possibly do that now. I'm finally starting to 'feel the aster'." She wisecracked at the Boy Wonder. Robin placed his mask back on and started to laugh. Ahsoka started to join in as the rest of the Team started to awaken. Ahsoka was officially friends with all members of the Team. Nothing could go wrong now.
Bialya January 26th 0016 hours
Catwoman walked through the halls of the ORDER HQ and chuckled. She started to remove the claws on her fingers and walked into the laboratory. Sylas and Barriss, as well as Alakshmi and Striker were waiting for her. "My mission was a success, Master." Selina stated. Sylas chuckled and looked at the claws with the eight blood samples of the Team. "You did well, Catwoman." He congratulated the feline femme. Catwoman meowed and walked away laughing.
Striker handed some lightsabers to Sylas a while after Catwoman left. "My mission was also a success." He remarked. Sylas looked to the lightsaber hilts and cackled. "I am proud of what ORDER is starting to accomplish, my friends." Sylas congratulated his generals. Syrena and Striker both smiled and nodded slightly in respect. Barriss looked over to Sylas as he placed the blood samples into some vials and handed them over to Dr. Prospect.
"It seems your turn to act will come sooner than expected, Barriss." Sylas stated. Barriss Offee smirked and walked with Sylas. "What is thy bidding?" she asked. Sylas chuckled. "You are to take a Team to attack the Light, the real and much more dangerous enemy of humanity." Sylas explained. Barriss placed her mask on and nodded. "Where's my Team?" Black Widow asked. Sylas chuckled and redirected her into another experimentation room. "I present to you… your official Team." Sylas introduced Barriss. The zealous Jedi gasped at the sight of what was in the room: molds of the Team. "It's called Project Terror." Sylas explained. Barriss smiled and chuckled. "I can work with this." Black Widow stated. Sylas smirked as he motioned Dr. Prospect. The doctor nodded and pressed a button. At that moment, the vials of blood sank into a machine, and the eight molds of the Team started to glow. Sylas smiled at this, cackled and stated, "From this day on, we unleash Terrors."
Author's Note: I hope that everyone liked this chapter. Now that Ahsoka learned to trust the entire Team, what will happen next? Also, what exactly will Sylas' assignment be for Barriss? It will all be revealed in my next chapter, coming out later this week! Please be sure to review and rate, because I am always keen to hear what you have to say! For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off! I wish you all a wonderful week! Take care!