Chapter 10 – 3rd time lucky
Ahsoka's theory was simple. Mara didn't know that Luke loved her as well. So if he told her that he loved her, she would renounce the Dark Side. Luke was a bit sceptical about it, but decided to try it for Ahsoka's sake. He just had to tell Mara that he loved her. Heh, easier said than done…
Attack #1
Mara was attacking more often now, at least once every 2 weeks, usually more. So Luke had plenty of opportunities. But he had to gather his courage first. He was still a very shy boy
"I will have my revenge!" yelled Mara. Luke dodged her furious blows before knocking her lightsaber out of her hand. Seeing that she had lost this round, Mara leapt onto a near-by roof, pulling her lightsaber to her hand with the Force.
"MARA!" called Luke in despair. But the red haired lady was gone. Luke sighed.
Attack # 2
The next attack came unexpected, and Ahsoka was there. Mara leapt out of nowhere, lightsaber drawn. Luke and Ahsoka had theirs our in a flash. The sound of lightsabers clashing together quickly filled the air. Luke could feel Ahsoka waiting for him to say something. 'Come on, Skywalker. You can do this.' He thought angrily. He blocked a blow and swung at the Sith Assassin. Mara blocked and leaped over his head. Ahsoka engaged her for a while, before backing off slightly.
"Mara" Luke started "I..." But Mara was gone. All that Luke and Ahsoka could hear was the sound of a speeder getting further and further away. Ahsoka sighed.
"At least you tried, littl' Skyguy." She encouraged him.
Luke's face hardened. "Do or Do Not. There is no Try."
Ahsoka smirked. "Taught you well, he has."
Both burst into laughter.
Attack # 3
While Ahsoka and Luke were sparring, Luke's lightsaber suddenly decided to malfunction. Ahsoka almost hit Luke with her lightsaber.
"Whoa, what happened to your lightsaber Luke?" she asked, snapping her 'sabers off.
"Dunno, 'Soka. It just shut down." Luke told her, studying the cylindrical object.
Ahsoka had a look and decided that she could fix it, just one of the wirers had snapped. She sent Luke to get a replacement wire.
So Luke, minus his lightsaber, set out to get a new wire for his lightsaber. Then, disaster struck.
Mara Jade, Sith Assassin, slid out of the shadows.
"Hello. And what do we have here?" She asked, an evil smirk on her face. Luke almost groaned. Going up against a Sith Assassin with no lightsaber was almost certain sheer murder.
"Hello Mara" Luke said cautiously. He was starting to get butterflies in his stomach.
Mara smirked again "Any last words, Skywalker?"
"Actually, yes" Luke began, wondering how in the Galaxy he was going to get out of this mess. "When and why did you learn about the Sith teachings?" Luke remembered a piece of information he had found on the Holo net that might be of use to get out of this mess...
Mara cocked an eyebrow. "Well, seeing you asked, the reason is this. When I was 2, the Jedi killed my whole village, including my parents. Master Sidious, who you called the 'Emperor', saved me. He began to teach me the ways of the Sith."
Luke gulped "Uh, Mara. That's not true. Did you actually see your parents killed by the Jedi?"
Mara's eyes hardened "No, but what does it matter to you?" she asked icily.
Luke gulped again. 'She is one imitating woman' he thought.
He looked Mara in her eye. "Your parents and village were killed because the Sith wanted you because of your strong Force connection. They are the ones who killed your parents. They are the ones who killed your village. Not the Jedi."
Mara studied him for a moment "LIAR!" she snarled. She jumped at Luke, rage written all over her face.
"MARA" yelled Luke "I HAVE PROOF! IF IT IS FALSE, YOU CAN KILL ME! IF NOT…" Luke left the sentence hanging. He wanted to say 'come with me' but that would just be weird.
Mara paused and gave a curt nod. "Hurry up; I don't want to waste any more time."
Luke gulped again. This woman's stare could freeze a wampa's fur off!
Slowly, he pulled out a data pad. After giving it to Mara, he took a step back.
'Let's hope this works' Luke thought, slightly scared. Just slightly.
Mara regarded him for a moment before turning the pad on. She skimmed through the information. Her eyes widened, then narrowed. Luke held his breath. The air was tense.
Mara went back through the info more thoroughly. Words jumped out at her. 'The small village…attacked by a man with a red lightsaber…all were killed…no survivors…one girl missing…thought to be dead…' memories came back, emotions started to swirl. Tears began to form.
Mara narrowed her eyes again. She wanted real proof that this was real, and not a forgery. A recording from a survivor was at the bottom of the report. Mara's heart jumped. This would show if what Skywalker was saying was true.
Mara looked up sharply. Luke was still standing there, watching quietly. Strange, he hadn't run away. Ah well, whatever.
Mara looked at the pad. Her finger was poised over the 'play' button. She glanced at Luke again and her heart skipped a beat. 'Stop it, you silly' she thought annoyed at herself. She turned away from Luke so she could watch the video in private.
"Here we go" she muttered to herself as she pressed play.
**Ahsoka, Ahsoka/Rex's quarters**
"Why is he taking so long?" Ahsoka exclaimed to Rex. Rex grinned.
"Calm down, Soka" he told her. "He probably got delayed or had to wait in line."
Ahsoka shook her head, her Lekku swinging gently from side to side.
"He wouldn't take this long. He has been gone for over 2 hours!"
Rex sat down next to the slightly flustered Togruta and gave her a hug.
"He will be fine" he soothed his 'girlfriend'.
"I can't let him die Rexter" Ahsoka told him "He reminds me so much of Skyguy… he is his son, I guess."
Rex nodded "I know. His sister Leia has General Skywalker's spirit but Luke inherited his looks."
Ahsoka grinned "If I didn't know you better, I would have thought you had read my mind"
Rex laughed.
"Great minds think alike!" Rex told Ahsoka.
Ahsoka grinned again, and then turned serious.
"Rex, do you think that we should go look for Luke?" Ahsoka asked, looking up at the Clone.
"With, that crazy assassin running around, I think we should" Rex confirmed. Ahsoka jumped up and pulled her lightsabers to her hands and clipped them on her belt. Rex holstered his twin pistols.
The two set out, watching the shadows for Mara Jade. Ahsoka led the way and Rex followed, the two completely trusting in each other. Ahsoka held up a hand and Rex froze. Ahsoka turned around and slipped back to him.
She pointed towards a pile of rubbish and Rex nodded. They silently ducked behind the pile and Ahsoka motioned for Rex to look over the pile. He did so and was shocked.
In front of him was an open area, a sort of courtyard. It was dirty and obviously a poorer part of the city.
In the middle was Luke holding a sack in his arms. It had something red coming out of the top…
A hand clamped a hand over his mouth before he had time to gasp in shock. He struggled before he realised it was only Ahsoka. She glared at him then peaked over the pile.
Rex did too, as he did not believe what he had seen.
For there stood Luke, probably feeling slightly awkward as he held a sobbing Mara Jade.
Ahsoka and Rex's faces showed the same expression as they glanced at each other's shocked face.
"I didn't think it would work!" whispered Ahsoka in shock.
Rex shook his head; his eyes still wide "Me nether. Let's give them some space to…uh… calm down"
As they creped away, Rex stepped on a stick.
"CRACK!"
'Oh bother' thought Ahsoka. She glanced at Rex, who was glaring at the stick as if he could kill it with a thought. Ahsoka almost laughed at his face.
Luke looked up at the sound of the stick breaking. Mara stopped sobbing and glanced over too. Ahsoka grinned and walked over to the pair.
"Well, hello Luke. Mara" Ahsoka said cautiously.
Luke smiled "Hello Ahsoka, meet Mara Jade, former Sith Assassin"
Ahsoka's smile grew "Pleased to meet you, Mara"
Mara gave a weak smile "Hello. Can you ever forgive me for what I have done though?"
"Yes, I can. I could tell that the Dark Side was not in your heart. Only lies made you turn to the Dark Side…" Ahsoka trailed off, remembering someone else who went to the Dark Side because of lies.
Mara flew to Ahsoka and gave her a hug "Oh thank you, thank you!" she sobbed.
Ahsoka looked at Luke, who gave a shy smile. Ahsoka smirked back.
"Told you it would work, Littl' Skyguy"
Luke rolled his eyes and laughed.
Mara walked back to Luke and Ahsoka looked at the pair. Perfect came to mind.
"You two have a lot to tell me" Ahsoka told them. Luke and Mara grinned. Ahsoka was glad they were happy.
Rex walked over. 'He is probably still slightly annoyed at that stick' Ahsoka thought with a chuckle.
Rex eyed Mara cautiously as he stopped at Ahsoka's side.
Luke smiled at the clone. "Rex, meet Mara Jade, former Sith Assassin"
Rex nodded at Mara, still slightly cautious. An awkward silence settled over the small group.
Luke broke the ice. "Ok everyone, let's go home"
"But I don't have a home anymore!" Mara told them.
"Excuse me! You do!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
Luke smiled reassuringly at the red haired woman. "Yes Mara, our home is your home now"
Mara looked shocked 'They are so accepting' she thought surprised.
Ahsoka smiled "Come on Mara."
The small group walked home in the dying light happy.
Ahsoka smiled.
'Well Done, My Padawan'
'Thank you, My Master'
