Ahsoka crashed to the floor with a resounding thud, the force of the impact rattling her helmet against her head, leaving a ringing sound in her montrals as she came to a stop.
Groaning from the pain, she slowly pushed herself back up, rising to her knees and removing her helmet, exposing her face to the fresh air and rain around her. The pressure on her montrals evaporated instantly, the ringing fading away a brief moment later as she ascertained what had just happened.
She had been dueling Barriss… and she had won. She had Barriss pinned, and she had surrendered... and then….
The ground! It had given way! Collapsed under the strain of the battle that had raged atop it!
The ground had given way and fallen into the black void of the ravine below it! Barriss had been caught up in it too!
But Ahsoka… she'd grabbed her with the Force, pulled her towards her!
But then… Barriss…
Barriss had stopped her! She had tried to block Ahsoka's own manipulation of the Force… and when it had been clear that Ahsoka wasn't going to stop… she had pushed.
Ahsoka remembered now… the feeling of the Force crashing against her in a sharp Force push, sending her flying backwards and into the position she was in now.
And in doing so, it had broken Ahsoka's own connection to the Force… and Barriss…
"Barriss!"
Pushing herself to her feet, Ahsoka dashed towards the edge of where the floor had collapsed… hoping… praying that she would find what she wanted to find.
As she reached the edge though… all she could see was darkness. There was nothing below, just the colour black. There was no sign of Barriss, no signature in the Force suggesting that she was nearby.
She was just gone… vanished into the void.
Collapsing back to her knees, Ahsoka felt a flood of emotion roll over her.
"No. No no no no no! Barriss." Ahsoka began to monologue, bringing an armoured hand to her head, clutching at the headache that was gradually building.
Barriss had surrendered. She was going to come with them and face justice, just as Ahsoka had wanted.
And now… now she was gone… and Ahsoka had failed her mission. The Chancellor had told her to bring her in alive or terminate if necessary.
But there hadn't been any reason to terminate Barriss, even if she had betrayed and attacked Ahsoka multiple times over. Barriss had given in.
And then, Ahsoka failed.
"No."
"Agent Tano?"
The voice of the Temple Guard did little to bring Ahsoka out of her own thoughts. She gently nodded her head to acknowledge his presence, but did not move her gaze from the darkness below. Perhaps, just perhaps if she waited a bit longer… Barriss would show herself. Perhaps she hadn't failed.
"Tano… I saw everything. There was nothing you could have done. It is time to go."
Ahsoka ignored him. There was something she could have done. If she had been stronger, more powerful, she might have been able to pull Barriss to safety faster. She might have been able to fight off Barriss' attempts to stop her!
If she had been more powerful… she could have saved Barriss. Hell, she could have saved Steela Gerrera back on Onderon too!
But she wasn't! Instead, she was weak… and that had cost people their lives more than once. The Clones. Steela. The villagers on Carlac!
And now Barriss.
"Ahsoka. It's ok."
This time the Temple Guard's voice was uncharacteristically quiet, full of compassion and concern that she had thus far only detected in his tone when he spoke of his friends within the Temple.
Turning her gaze away from the black void below, Ahsoka glanced up at the Temple Guard's now exposed face as he knelt down next to her, one hand resting on her shoulder, the other gripping his lightsaber hilt.
His face had a certain hardness to it, as if he had seen and done things that haunted him, but at the same time his eyes were full of strength and wisdom. In an odd way they were captivating.
"You cannot save everyone Ahsoka, no matter how hard you try. Do not ever beat yourself up for failing to do so. Instead accept it as it stands, and take pride in what you have accomplished."
"If I'd been stronger… I could have saved her. She'd surrendered."
"I know… I saw and heard. Perhaps this time you could not save her, but there will be another like this. To ensure it does not happen again you must remember and learn from this. Only then will you become stronger, both in mind and in the Force."
The Temple Guard's words, coupled with the way his signature in the Force tried to wrap around and comfort the Togruta, made Ahsoka believe him. She had to be stronger. She had to learn from her mistakes, or else she would be doomed to repeat them.
She couldn't let what had happened to Steela and Barriss happen to someone like Caleb, or Padmé, or Obi-Wan.
Or Anakin. If she ever lost Anakin…. she didn't know what she would do.
"Ok… ok. It's time to go. We need to talk to the Chancellor and tell him what happened, even if I failed this time." Ahsoka replied, shakily pushing herself to her feet in the process.
"You did not fail your mission. The threat has been eliminated. Take pride in that at least."
Despite his earlier words comforting her, this time Ahsoka felt no such comfort. His words did little to help the pit she felt at the bottom of her stomach.
Yes, she had completed her mission.
But Barriss was gone.
"Come on, let's go find Thrawn."
Returning to the inside of the pyramid, and climbing down the way they came proved to be much harder than Ahsoka had expected. Last time she had the sounds of the duel and the call of the Force to guide her through the empty halls.
This time however she had neither. No duel was raging near her, and for some reason the Force seemed quiet, as if depressed. She could still touch and feel it running through her, but it was almost as if it was reserved around her.
If she didn't know any better, she would have said it was judging her for failing to bring Barriss back alive.
Pushing aside the notion of the Force not supporting her, Ahsoka instead returned her focus to where she was. Luckily for her, her Pau'an Temple Guard friend seemed to know where he was going. He turned corner after corner of the endless maze of corridors, illuminated only by his yellow lightsaber blade until finally the exit appeared ahead.
And there, standing in the entrance was Thrawn.
"Ah, I was worried about you, my friends. Were you successful in your mission?" The Chiss asked, his tone genuinely curious and concerned. Despite being previously wounded he seemed to be in fine shape. Ahsoka was glad to see that.
"We were successful Lieutenant. Offee will no longer be a concern for the Republic." The Temple Guard replied, clearly sensing Ahsoka's mental state at the loss of her friend, opting to answer Thrawn's questions in her place.
"I see." Thrawn said, his tone somber, but not for the loss of Barriss. His red eyes expressed sympathy to the Togruta, one that she both appreciated and despised at the same time.
This shouldn't have happened! She should have been able to save Barriss from falling into the darkness. She shouldn't be congratulated for removing a threat to the Republic! She should be chastised for failing to save someone's life!
"Do you want me to inform the Supreme Chancellor of the mission's outcome, Agent Tano?" Thrawn continued, eyes never leaving Ahsoka's face, even as she moved up next to him, glancing at the now clear night sky above. The darkness beyond the red gas giant, the endless stars that gleamed in the distance offered a different kind of darkness than the one Barriss had fallen into. It was almost warm and welcoming in a way, despite space itself being frigid.
"No. I will speak to him. It's only right that I tell him what happened after all. But thank you for offering Thrawn."
The walk back through the endless trees to the 'Huntress' was quiet. No one spoke, instead allowing a peaceful silence to exist between the three of them, each of which had very different thoughts on their mind.
Through the Force, Ahsoka could feel the Temple Guard's signature. For the first time since he had invited himself aboard the mission, he felt at ease, his pent up anger and tension gone just like that. It was clear he was pleased with the result of the mission, even if it wasn't the one Ahsoka wanted herself.
Thrawn likewise seemed content, though Ahsoka didn't miss the way he had kept taking concerned glances over at her as she led them through the jungle. Whilst he knew the mission had been completed, it was clear that he was studying Ahsoka, trying to see what her mental state was after it was all said and done. She was fine with him studying her, as long as he didn't get too intrusive.
Pushing through another set of vines, Ahsoka found herself emerging into the clearing from before. Reaching down to a pouch on her armoured waist, Ahsoka removed a small device from it, pressing it once, decloaking the T-6 shuttle for them all to see. A satisfied huff came from the Temple Guard as he moved ahead, heading up the rear ramp and into the ship, Thrawn following behind him.
Ahsoka too moved to follow before a sound stopped her.
A soft echo hit her montrals suddenly, the Force suddenly singing around her with a light song, as if welcoming her to some warm place that was so different from where she currently was.
Looking around, Ahsoka followed the suggestion of the Force, moving towards a fallen tree at the rear of the shuttle.
As she approached, the sound got louder, and the warmth of the Force increased, further welcoming her into its embrace.
"What is that?" Ahsoka asked herself, unsure exactly what was happening. The warmth felt familiar, but she couldn't place exactly where she had felt it before. Certainly not on this planet at least.
It was then that movement caught her eye. From behind the fallen tree, a small creature appeared, flapping wings once before landing on the tree stump, beady eyes watching her.
It took Ahsoka a moment to realize what she was seeing. This was the same avian she had seen many months ago on Myrkr, and again on Hypori!
But that didn't explain how it was here!
The avian creature titled it's head from side to side, eyes never leaving Ahsoka's, hooting twice as if asking a question.
"How?" Was all that Ahsoka could say, thoroughly stumped at the creature's appearance. Had it followed her or something? Stowed away on her ship when she wasn't looking?
The avian chirped this time, a sound that vaguely resembled a chuckle.
"I don't understand? I've seen you before, but I just don't get it? Are you following me around?"
This time the avian did respond in a way Ahsoka was familiar with. The creature nodded its head twice, before tilting it to the side once more, a questioning look in it's beady eyes.
"Why me though? Do you know me or something?"
The avian did not respond this time, something that partly aggravated Ahsoka. She knew she shouldn't expect any real answers from a bird, but even still, it was clearly up to something. Could it not tell her another way?
"Are you trying to show me something? Or protect me? I don't understand." Ahsoka continued, bending down to be at eye level with the avian, holding out an armoured hand to the creature in the process.
The avian lent forward slightly. Its beak gently touching Ahsoka's fingers twice before pulling back, a perplexed expression in its eyes, as if it saw something that confused it.
"Who are you?" Ahsoka tried again, hoping for an answer of any kind, no matter how vague.
'A friend'
The sound of a soft gentle voice echoed in her mind suddenly, startling Ahsoka. She had heard that voice before, back on Myrkr, when the same avian before her had attacked General Grievous and his guards. Back then she hadn't had time to truly listen to the voice, but now… now she could have sworn there was something familiar about it. The tone was almost whimsical in a way, and reminded her of her time on…
"Agent Tano? Is everything ok?"
Thrawn's voice snapped Ahsoka back out of her inner thoughts, drawing her attention away from the creature and to Thrawn's red eyes. Glancing back at where the avian had been, Ahsoka was surprised to find that it had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of its existence. Had it simply been a figment of her imagination?
"Agent Tano?" Thrawn asked again, stance tense, as if expecting an attack.
"I'm fine Lieutenant. Just thought I saw something. Nothing there though. Shall we?" Ahsoka replied, gesturing towards the 'Huntress' as she rose back to her full height, moving to join the Chiss in the process, whose posture immediately relaxed upon clarification that there was nothing wrong.
"Yes, we shall. I have the Supreme Chancellor on the line for you inside."
"Wonderful."
"Agent Tano. Lieutenant Thrawn says you have news for us?" The calm collected voice of Chancellor Palpatine was a welcome sound to Ahsoka's montrals. The Supreme Chancellor, despite being in a position that no doubt put him under a lot of stress, always seemed to be in a good mood and more than willing to talk about anything. He was, all in all, a perfect leader for the Republic in these trying times.
She just hoped he understood the outcome of her mission, and didn't judge her too harshly for it.
"I do Supreme Chancellor. A report on our mission to be precise." Ahsoka replied as she sat down in the co-pilot seat of her shuttle, Thrawn beside her. The hologram of Palpatine that had appeared on the dashboard nodded his head once, giving permission to continue.
Giving herself a moment to compose herself, and to choose her words carefully, Ahsoka began.
"We tracked Barriss Offee to Nal Hutta, but she ran before we could apprehend her. We've spent the last few days pursuing her between various star systems before she eventually crashed her ship in the Yavin system. I tried to convince her to come in peacefully and serve her time… but…"
"She refused?" The Chancellor interrupted, face wrinkled with concern. Part of Ahsoka hoped that was concern for her own well-being, as selfish as that sounded. It would be nice for someone other than Anakin to worry about her for once.
"She did. She attacked us and…"
"You need not tell me anymore Ahsoka. I trust your judgement. If Offee refused to surrender, then you did what you had to do for both the safety of yourself, and the Republic." Palpatine finished for her, putting two and two together and coming to the conclusion of what must have happened. Ahsoka knew she should tell him the exact truth of what had happened, how she had captured Barriss, but then not been strong enough to save her from falling.
But for now she didn't have the energy. She just wanted to get this report over and rest.
"How far away from Coruscant are you?" Palpatine spoke again, this time choosing to direct the question at Thrawn.
"About a standard and a half Coruscant rotation Your Excellency."
"Very well. Consider your mission complete, both of you. When you make it back to Coruscant Lieutenant please report to Admiral Tarkin. He will desire a debrief no doubt. As for you Agent Tano, I order you to rest. I will be in touch if I have need of your assistance."
"Yes Chancellor. Thank you." Ahsoka replied, choosing not to fight orders for a change. She knew she needed rest right now, and clearly the Chancellor could see that too.
"Good. My condolences for the loss of your friend, but you did the right thing. Good day to both of you." Palpatine spoke one last time before his hologram faded from existence.
"At least he was appreciative of our efforts." The voice of the Temple Guard came from behind Ahsoka, reminding her that he was there. Had the Chancellor seen him as well?
"Indeed. Now we only need to make it back to Coruscant in one piece." Thrawn said, his hands moving across the controls of the shuttle, powering up the hyperdrive in preparation for the jump out of the Yavin system.
"In that case it is best if I fly. You are injured Lieutenant."
"No more than you honoured Temple Guard."
"My helmet is replaceable. No further damage was done to me."
"Perhaps, but I enjoy flying."
"As do I."
Sighing to herself, Ahsoka stood from the co-pilot's seat, allowing the Pau'an to take it instead whilst she moved to exit the cockpit, fully intending on trying to get some rest in her quarters.
The past few days had really taken it out of her, both physically and mentally. No doubt she'd need some time to recuperate.
She just hoped that Anakin had had a better past few days than she had.
"ANAKIN STOP!"
The sickening sound of a nose cracking underneath the weight of his cybernetic fist brought a sick sense of glee to Anakin's mind, as did the now horribly disfigured face of the person who had been on the receiving end of his strike. The thick smell of blood struck Anakin's senses as it poured out of the scumbag's nose before him, but even that didn't stop Anakin from striking again, and again, and again.
"ANAKIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
Again, and again, and again! Anakin threw his fist forward, crashing against every part of the man's face, each impact resulting in another crack, and another crack, fueling his anger only further.
"ANAKIN! GET OFF OF HIM! STOP THIS!"
Nothing would stop him from achieving his goal! He would make him pay for what he had done… what he was going to do!
No one dared touch his wife in such a way and lived to tell the tale.
"ANAKIN! THIS ISN'T YOU! PLEASE STOP!"
A voice called him! One he knew… a familiar one… one he adored and loved deeply, more than nearly anything in the galaxy.
"ANAKIN!"
His wife! That was it! His Padmé! His Padmé who had been attacked by this scum before him.
Raising his fist again, fully intending to hit the man once more, Anakin snarled.
And then suddenly felt a sharp pain hit the back of his head before he blacked out.
Author's thoughts
So, sorry for the wait after last chapter. Been a bit busy and stuff. Hope you don't mind.
This is a shorter chapter than last time I realize, but I wanted it to focus on Ahsoka's thoughts in the aftermath of what happened to Barriss. In her mind she not only failed to complete her mission, but she failed to save yet another person who she considered important. This isn't the first time she's not been able to save someone from plummeting to their death after all.
And of course, Palpatine manages to twist things the way he normally does. Good thing he is such a nice man right?
Anyways, next couple of chapters will be the interim stuff that covers some extra Coruscant based story line, and as you can probably tell from the final bit of this chapter we are jumping perspectives for a bit. Looks like a certain Skyguy might be in a bit of trouble. XD
I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy, what with Covid-19 making the rounds. Have faith people. Humanity has survived worse before. If you feel ill take care of yourself. That's all you can do. I've been under the weather myself lately too (just a normal cold mind you, nothing serious), so take care of yourself first and foremost.
Thanks again to my beta reader 'ArrinSnyders'. He's the best.
Next time round we see exactly what Anakin has done... and what the consequences of his actions will be.
As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
Guest Isa: Thanks a lot! I appreciate the kind words.
I'm glad you liked all the aspects of the final stand of Barriss'. It was important to get it all perfect, as well as everyone's roles in it. Thrawn might have only got the first shot off, but he set the stage for the Temple Guard, who in turn set the stage for Ahsoka and Barriss' conflict. It was a lot of fun to write.
Hope this chapter was worth the wait. XD
TragicFiction: It certainly would wouldn't it? But then again, what makes you think he will have a choice?
Dream Plane: I'm glad you enjoyed it. The setting and fight itself was fun to create. No doubt the effect left on Ahsoka will be a long one.
Firewing's Scepter: They keep getting better? Wow! Thanks for the compliment. I really appreciate that! XD
I'm glad you liked the dynamic between Ahsoka and Barriss, as well as all the different ways it can be perceived. The irony of the predator species being the good guy whilst the kind hearted peaceful species being the villain was one I loved writing, and it suits Star Wars so well. Don't judge a book by it's cover and all that.
Thanks again. Hope you liked this chapter too.
Cats-God-Of-The-Cat-People: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed how it concluded. :)
1saaa: In that case, you are welcome. I hope your days have improved since then. I know what it is like to have bad days, so if I brightened it at all I'm pleased. Comments like your make my day after all, so it's nice to return the favor. :)
I'm glad you enjoyed how the confrontation went. Getting it right was a struggle, but one I enjoyed. It took my a long time to decide what to do with Barriss as I needed her out of the way, but I didn't want to outright kill her in case I needed her for the future, hence why I left it open to audience interpretation.
Hopefully you liked Palpy's reaction in this chapter, though I will say you've not seen all of it yet. Just wait until Sidious shows up next! XD
Hope you enjoyed this chapter too... and sorry for the cliffhanger again. I'll try to get the next chapter out ASAP. XD
Erukat: Glad I was able to surprise you. Makes it all worthwhile in the end. XD
I'm glad you enjoyed the ending to the arc overall. Hopefully you liked this chapter too. The effect on Ahsoka is gonna be one that's around for a while.
Dressyone22: Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. Only time will tell how she views the Order as a whole. :)
tf330129: I'm still going. XD