Ahsoka's stride carried her through the winding tunnels of the ancient Sith temple, her steps light and silent. Her heart was lighter still, having finally been unburdened of the unrequited love she had harbored for her former master, but she remained serious. There still could be further trials yet to come, and at the end of it all, she would have to face the man who had risen from the ashes of the man she loved so dearly. That man, Darth Vader, held the key to Ahsoka's desires being made manifest.

Her tattered clothes made the only sound as she moved, ever faster, finding her command of the Force to have been elevated somewhat within the confines of the temple. She had thought that the touch of the Dark Side would have been uncomfortable to her, but in truth it felt no different than it had as a Jedi. The Force was the Force, and there seemed to be no difference in it regardless of the use, or the user. The only difference, she had found, was that now, she commanded it to her bidding, instead of passively letting it do what it would. It was empowering, and she craved more. Before she could have it, though, she had to get out of this infernal labyrinth.

Many twists and turns confused and befuddled Ahsoka, but still she pressed ever onward. Many times, she thought she had actually gone in circles, and maybe she had, but no sign of the previous visions and spectres could be found. Just when she thought she may never escape, an all-too-familiar door loomed before her, and she walked confidently through, back into the main sanctuary.

Darth Vader stood, waiting. As usual, he was unreadable. No emotion seemed to emanate from the hulking black form, almost as if he was entirely machine, instead of just partially. The mechanical breathing noises came at a steady, regulated rate. His arms, folded across his chest, seemed to imply impatience, but Ahsoka felt that what time she had taken within the catacombs was precisely as much time as it had needed to be.

"Stand before me, Ahsoka Tano." Ahsoka still had difficulty getting used to the deep bass sound of Vader's voice. Was Anakin actually still in there somewhere? If so, was it even possible to reach him? And if not...was this all going to be worth it? Nonetheless, Ahsoka did as she was commanded to do, and stood in front on the monstrous Sith Lord, her head bowed respectfully.

"You have entered the world of your own mind, and proven that no ghost, no haunting memory controls you. No outside force has influence over your own destiny. You are in command of yourself, and you have the strength of will to command the Force to act in accordance with your bidding. Most important of all, you have shown me that you possess the strength you will need to overthrow the Emperor when the time comes, and you have shown me that on that day, we will fight side-by-side, and he will not be able to defeat us. You are worthy, Ahsoka Tano, of the honor that I shall bestow upon you, just as it was bestowed upon me by my master. Kneel."

Ahsoka went to one knee before the dark lord, her head still bowed low. Vader reached out his left hand and laid it upon the top of her head. It struck her in that moment just how massive Darth Vader really was. Anakin hadn't been a small man, but compared to what he had become, he was quite small indeed. She was even more diminutive than that, and she felt quite small indeed.

"On this day, you are reborn. Gone is the foolish, naive child that you once were, and gone is any connection to those who would chain you, hold you back, and keep you from your rightful power. Today, you are a new person. Today, you are Sith."

"Rise, Darth Somina."

She felt the absolute power of her new name surge through her like lightning. She felt different, very different, than she had been even mere seconds before. She had accepted, even embraced, those passions that she had spent so much time denying herself, even knowing the love of he whom she had craved for so long, and in so doing, she had become more than she had been even just the day before. She found herself thanking Enuma, thanking the young Twi'lek for giving her a reason to rise, rise out of the swamps and sewers that she had cowered in before. Had she not encountered Enuma, and turned her blades on the cronies of Jabba the Hutt, perhaps she would have never come here, and never known the joys she had experienced. She certainly would not be kneeling here today, the might of the Dark Side flowing through her like a turbulent river, reborn as something MORE.

Ahsoka was gone. Only Somina remained.

Somina rose to her feet, power and pride practically crackling over her body. She lifted her head to face her master. Vader had taken a step back, giving her room to get to her feet and stand. He had turned to gaze off into the distance. "There is a strange current in the Force today, my apprentice. Have you felt it?"

"I have, master. Several times, during my trials."

"Something has fundamentally changed, Somina. I want you to investigate. Take your ship. I will provide you with Imperial clearance codes that will get you wherever you need to go, no questions asked. Go to Coruscant and make your way into the ruin of the Jedi temple. I sense that the distortion is emanating from there. Discover the source of this distortion, and eliminate it."

Somina bowed her head respectfully. "As you command, my master."

Vader pointed a finger at her, immediately capturing her attention. "Do not allow yourself to be discovered, not by anyone. The Emperor has eyes and ears everywhere, and his command of the Force is formidable enough that he may be able to sense you even if you do not use any of your skills. Be silent, be swift, and do not allow yourself to be discovered. Go. Report back to me at my flagship after your task is complete."

Somina nodded and turned to walk away. As she departed, a wicked grin danced across her lips, as she relished the idea of a real fight. If there was something that had Darth Vader concerned, then it would be a real challenge, and she looked forward to it. Of course, the memory of Anakin's hands on her body wasn't half bad either, and she imagined she'd have to revisit those memories again quite soon.

Night was falling around the temple on Yavin 4 as Somina left the main ziggurat. Her ship sat, safe and sound, just where she'd left it. She had no idea of how much time had passed, but as it was dusk, she knew she'd been in there the entire day. She wondered how Enuma had fared in her absence, and her question was answered when she saw the Twi'lek, her violet eyes smiling, descending down the ramp from the interior of the ship. Enuma ran to meet her, throwing her arms around Somina with a relieved hug.

"I was so worried that my friend was not coming back! I am so glad you...Ahsoka, your eyes!"

Somina raised an eyebrow. Enuma seemed extremely puzzled, and she hadn't the slightest clue why. "What do you mean, Enuma? What about my eyes?"

Enuma, placing a hand on each of Somina's shoulders, looked her in the eyes, a confused look on her own face. "Your eyes! They are different. A very pretty orange now."

Somina grinned, trying to put the Twi'lek at ease. "Interesting. Things have changed, Enuma, but I'm still your friend, still who I always was. I'm just...better now. More able to help people. More able to keep you safe."

Enuma nodded, and her smile returned. "Then that is a good thing, and I am happy for you, Ahsoka." The Twi'lek gently kissed Somina on the cheek. "If you are happy, then I am happy."

Somina blushed, but only for an instant. Enuma's act was completely innocent, but still had a level of intimacy to it that Somina hadn't realized they'd developed. Somina still had difficulties trusting people, after what had occurred with Barriss, and she'd not made friends easily. It seemed, however, that Enuma was not going to be driven off so easily, and Somina found herself glad for that. She wasn't sure what Enuma was talking about, with her eyes supposedly changing color, and perhaps she would need to ask Vader about that at some point, but for now, they had a job to do.

Somina started the ignition sequence while Enuma secured the ship for launch. Once Enuma was securely strapped into the seat next to her, Somina flashed her a genuine smile. The Twi'lek returned the smile, and they felt the ship move, flawlessly lifting off from the surface of Yavin 4. The ship leapt into orbit around the moon within seconds, and Somina prepared the calculations for the jump to light speed.

"Have you ever been to Coruscant, Enuma?"

The Twi'lek, still smiling, cocked her head slightly to the left. "I don't think I have heard of that place, Ahsoka. Is it a good place?"

Somina, a slight darkening of her mood being almost noticeable to the eager Twi'lek, spoke with an unusual degree of seriousness. "It once was. Maybe one day we can help make it that way again."

Enuma smiled even wider. "I would love to help you, but I am not strong like you are. I don't know what I can do."

"You will, Enuma. You will. Stay with me, and I'll show you just how strong you can be! Hang on!"

Somina activated the light speed drive controls, and the ship leapt into hyperspace.