Disclaimer:
Star Wars does not belong to me, nor do any of the images displayed. This fic was created by me for entertainment purposes.
NA 1: This is a translation from Spanish. Before, I used to upload the translation from Google Translate, but I found this one and it seems better to me. Please comment to let me know what you think.
NA 2: If anyone wants to help with corrections or translations and serve as an editor, please send me a private message. I am too busy to do it myself. Again, my apologies to everyone.
NA3: También he publicado el original en español, ya pueden leerlo.
Star Wars Xion 10
Ahsoka was in the passenger seat and playing with the baby Hutt, but her mind was elsewhere. She remembered her training with Master Yoda. He said that balance was what kept us on our feet, and it was losing this balance that brought trouble.
That was a lesson Ahsoka often heard from him, and it was no coincidence, because despite her outstanding skills, she could be reckless and act rashly, disobeying orders, only to end up in trouble later. But this could be balanced, and she did….
Well, as long as she didn't feel she would lose herself by discarding her emotions and feelings to the force she did, but everyone did the same, even Master Yoda. Being a Jedi didn't mean being a machine without feelings, and each of them could, after certain limits, say what they wanted to discard or what not. But their master…
What balance was there in his master? Was he living several lives at once? That was not balance, that was a disaster.
…
Some time later, they arrived on Tatooine, where they were to deliver the baby Hutt, and where their master used their attached Death Stars as weapon platforms on the old ship they were on, shooting down four fighters coming to give them range. Ahsoka could only blink. Her master smiled at her.
-It's not all bad about knowing things that will happen," her master said, and Ahsoka tensed. Were his thoughts that obvious? Or could he also predict what she was thinking? Her master smiled, and Ahsoka tensed.
-They have prepared a welcoming committee for us, so let's approach calmly," her master said, descending thirty kilometers from his target.
…
They descended into a sea of dark, cold sand, it was nighttime there. Their master led the way at a fast pace, for they had brought nothing to crew.
-Count Dooku, so after a year of sending your apprentice to bring me gifts, you finally decided to come and deliver them in person, how thoughtful of you," said their master, as the shadows of a dune turned into an old man with a groomed beard and wise bearing. Behind him stood Ventress. Ahsoka drew his saber.
-Ahsoka, you watch his apprentice, I'll take care of him," said his master, and advanced.
-Skywalker, arrogant as ever, but if I remember correctly, the last time we fought, you couldn't do anything against me," said Count Dooku, taking his saber, but without activating it. He and his master came within ten meters of each other, with their lightsabers in their hands, but without making any offensive moves or activating them.
Ahsoka was a bit worried when she heard what Dooku said about their confrontation, but her master was brimming with confidence, and Ahsoka didn't have much to do besides keep an eye on Ventress who was holding a saber in her hand, which was not hers, perhaps a spare one after her master destroyed the ones she had before.
-Dooku, arrogance is your sin, not mine," said his master.
-Arrogance is the sin of all Jedi, and I know, because I was once one of them. Skywalker, they are corrupt, as is the Republic, and you know it, I have heard of your constant struggles against them," said Dooku, and Ahsoka understood why she had not attacked sooner. This was more than an ambush, it was a meeting, and her master had agreed to it.
Ahsoka was stunned, there was nothing to talk about with the separatists, they were the ones responsible for the war…
-The Republic is corrupt," said her master and Ahsoka was shocked. Dooku smiled, "But the Jedi Council, they are just stubborn, too inflexible, and even afraid of change, and that is one of the reasons for this war," said his master. Dooku did not seem satisfied. He shook his head.
-No, young man. The Council is corrupt, and everything they claim to stand for is a lie, for they bend their own rules when it suits them, but refuse to do so when it suits them as well.
-Skywalker, you yourself, are proof of my words. You have refused to obey, you have skirted the rules. You obey the politicians and hide behind them to do your will. If they really defended their laws, they would have expelled you by now, but they don't, because that would make them look bad, for you are a hero of the Republic, and all the times you refused to obey, you did it for the good of others, but they are blind to the truth," said Dooku. Ahsoka did not understand why her master continued in this conversation?
His master laughed, and laughed heartily, making Dooku frown.
-Dooku, don't try to gain my trust with silly lies, so that I will empathize with you. True, we both disobeyed the Council for the sake of others, we have seen the corruption and we know the Republic is decadent. But as for our relationship with the Jedi Council, we do not agree at all, and the reasons I am allowed to stay are not what you say, and we both know it," said his master, and for a second, Dooku tensed. It is not a secret, Dooku.
"I know of the prophecy, from the moment I entered the order. The chosen one of the force. Nonsense! -his master declared sharply. But the Jedi Council is not willing to risk it, or at least most of them, are willing to sacrifice their own beliefs and rules to believe in me, and believe that the force is wise, and in the end, the best will happen. That is the reason I am still on the Jedi Council, to this day, not because of my fame, fortune, or connections. So your point is false.
"In fact, that I am still a Jedi means that there is hope in the Council. That they are not the bitter old men you once thought they were, though I must admit that until recently, I thought the same way," her master admitted. Ahsoka could only blink at this conversation. The Jedi Council would not expel her master for a prophecy about a Force Chosen. "Chosen for what?" wondered Ahsoka, who could see that Ventress was just as dumbfounded as she was.
-No, Skywalker. There is no hope in the Council. They are blind to the truth time and time again. You said it yourself, it is nonsense, the Force has no chosen ones, and for them to believe it only means their path is wrong," Dooku said regretfully.
-Dooku, I never said I did not believe in what they believe, for I think their beliefs are nonsense because the facts say they are wrong, and the proof is there, behind you and behind me. It is in me, and it is even in you, Dooku. We are all the Force's chosen ones, out of the billions of beings that inhabit this galaxy.
"The Force has chosen you to be its bearer, as much as it has chosen me, but like the Council, you refused to listen to it and even went beyond it, you succumbed to hatred step after step. You already walked a dark path when you were a Jedi, Dooku.
"All those times you refused to act beyond the call of duty because the law did not require you to. Every time you chose to be cruel. Every time your helplessness got the better of you and you decided that the ends justified the means, that's what led you to lose your own way, Dooku.
"The Republic is corrupt! Before, you could use that as an excuse, but now there is none of that in you anymore, only thirst for power. That's why you started this war…" said his master.
-I didn't start this war! -Dooku interrupted angrily, but soon became calm again. His master said nothing and held his position, nor did he try to speak further. Dooku stirred with discomfort at his outburst. –"My apologies, Skywalker," he mumbled, "but I did not start this war.
"This war started because those in power felt they had the right to impose burdens on those who were merely trying to make a living in what they decided was their domain.
"If you're willing to defend them, I'll give you an easy example: Naboo. They, supported by a corrupt Senate, blocked access to the planet's resources and also imposed absurd taxes and exorbitant prices that had nothing to do with the costs of production and extraction.
"Their excuse was that this was their world and they should use their natural wealth to help their people. The fat and rich merchants were privileged people who should pay taxes for the benefit of the people. But thus, they became rich. Their world became a paradise and now they were the fat and rich. They had no excuse anymore and according to their own excuses, it was their turn to share with the unfortunate.
"But what did they do with all their wealth? Nothing, there was only corruption on Naboo. The ascension to the throne of your friend, Senator Amidala, has its own dark history behind it. So who were the bad guys in the blockade of Naboo? Did the Trade Federation do anything different than the people of Naboo themselves? What gives the people of Naboo the right to get rich and fat by exploiting the natural wealth of a planet that wasn't even theirs in the first place, but when someone else tries to do the same they stop them and demand justice?
"There is no justice in the Republic, young Skywalker. Everything is corrupt, there is no equality, only interests. There is no freedom, only totalitarian ideas, like those held by your friend Senator Amidala. She speaks of peace, at what price? It is peace in exchange for freedom. It is peace in exchange for free thought. It is peace in exchange for justice. What she preaches and what her planet stands for are nothing more than a mockery," Dooku concluded. His master reflected for a few seconds.
-That at least is the truth," his master admitted, leaving Ahsoka in disbelief. -Dooku, in honor of this truth, I will not discuss ideas and philosophies with you. I will use facts as examples. Nor will I use any separate facts, for I will use your very example to answer you, Naboo.
"For Naboo, and what the Trade Federation did there, is a clear example of what will happen to the rest of the galaxy if the Separatists win this war, subjugating thousands of worlds under the banner of freedom, just as they did on Naboo by taking control of it. And I remind you that they weren't planning on sharing their wealth either.
"So, Dooku, do you stand for freedom? Do you stand for justice? Your results only prove that your fight has nothing to do with those two causes. Your results, throughout this war, every single one of them, only demonstrate your thirst for power and your absolute belief in yourself. Dooku, you are the embodiment of what you accuse the Jedi Council of. A blind old man who is too arrogant to see his own corruption and who is blind to it.
"You desire power Dooku, and you are incapable of giving it up. I know you don't believe it and just at this moment you think I am foolish and blind, but I will prove it to you," said his master, holding out his hand to Dooku. Come with me, Dooku. Join me and together, let us fight for what you say you believe in. You accuse me of being blind, but I can see that Padmé is not right. The peace she tries is forced, that's why it will never work. But you, you can't see how wrong your own ideas are, and when you see the results of them, you convince yourself that it is for the greater good.
"The greater good is now, Dooku. Join me. I will leave the Jedi Order and the Republic. I will go with you and together, we will end this war. Together we will end the corruption and achieve true balance. Renounce the war. Renounce the power you now wield that is blinding you.
"Sacrifices are not necessary, Dooku. Look at your results. They are no good today and they will not be good tomorrow," her master concluded.
Ahsoka froze. Something was happening. The Force was pressing on her, as if screaming in her ears. Ahsoka had to brace her feet in the sand to keep from taking a step towards her master, who was looking at Dooku with sadness while offering his hand with a feeling that exuded sincerity and trust…
Dooku gritted his teeth and stepped forward, but his lightsaber ignited at the same time and charged at his master, who activated his own lightsaber and attacked as well. Ahsoka stopped feeling pressured, but the Force was still around her. Although the conversation ended abruptly, neither her master nor Count Dooku tried to continue speaking or said another word.
Ahsoka ignited her lightsaber, as did Ventress, but the battle between Count Dooku and her master was very strange. They did not move a meter from the area where they clashed, their lightsabers clashed at a speed Ahsoka could barely see, and the Force vibrated around them, dark and reluctant on Count Dooku's side, sad and resigned on his master's side.
Dooku employed his lightsaber with a swift and aggressive style, he was the best Form II duelist Ahsoka had ever seen. His movements were so natural that he appeared to be walking on the beach rather than fighting. There was no surprise or tension in his gaze, he was serious and solemn, as if watching the sunset.
Her master kept the same expression and it was almost the same aggressive movements of Dooku, but with the Force and the power of the V-form behind it. Ahsoka kept her saber active, but as if by silent agreement between her and Ventress, neither of them interrupted the dance their masters were doing in the center of what a minute ago was a debating arena, and now, right in its center, had become a fighting arena.
…
The saber dance went on for ten minutes, with none of the masters taking a step back. But just when Ahsoka thought they would be there for hours, Dooku gritted his teeth and stepped back with a reluctant expression that Ahsoka didn't understand at all. His master did not pursue and lowered his saber, planting himself on the spot, which caused Dooku to lose his cool. After stepping back, he advanced again to exchange several more saber crosses, but just seconds later, he stepped back again with an expression of reluctance and non-acceptance.
It was as if he didn't want to leave the battle and someone was forcing him to do so, but Ahsoka could only see Ventress, who looked just as confused as she did.
-Skywalker, it seems the Force does not want our encounter to continue," Dooku said, stepping aside and putting away his lightsaber. His master did the same.
-Dooku, the Force is only telling you one thing right now, and that is to prove your beliefs," said his master and offered his hand again, but Dooku stepped back as if he were pointing a gun at him, turned and walked away. His master lowered his hand a minute later and grimaced.
-Ahsoka, my Strength is still limited," his master complained. "You're a monster," Ahsoka thought, but she didn't say it. She already understood how it was possible for Ventress, whom she could barely match in combat, to be ripped apart so easily by him. She didn't stand a chance.
-Ahsoka? Are you all right? -asked her master approaching her and examining her with a worried expression.
Ahsoka hastily nodded with some embarrassment and, to hide it, checked the status of the Hutt baby, which she had completely forgotten about. Her master hurried away, catching her discomfort. Ahsoka was again stunned. He had misunderstood her and thought his closeness was overwhelming her. Ahsoka felt very stressed.
-Master, you told me before that if you overwhelmed me I would hit you, so with your permission, I plan to do so. But as long as I don't, please don't walk away from me like I'm kicking you, that's really uncomfortable. I don't want you to think I'm bullying my own teacher," Ahsoka said seriously before someone saw that reaction and thought badly of her. That would be terrible because she hadn't done anything. Her teacher stirred uncomfortably.
-I'm sorry, I'll keep that in mind from now on, but don't hit so hard," she said trying to make a joke, but it didn't work because it lacked humor. -And tell me, what made you uncomfortable before? -she asked as she saw that bringing attention elsewhere was not working. Ahsoka started to laugh, but it sounded fake. She wasn't going to answer that question.
-Master, you are very funny," Ahsoka said, and kept laughing.
Her master grimaced at her obvious theatrics and turned around to start walking. Ahsoka sighed in relief and hurried to walk beside him, though the breeze blew and threw some sand at him, but his master made a motion with his hand as if shooing away a fly, and the breeze went off to bother someone else. Ahsoka felt as if he had put a protective arm on her shoulder, and with that he managed to shield her from everything.
-Master, you're going to spoil me," said Ahsoka.
-That didn't sound like a complaint to me," said her teacher with a smile.
-I correct. Master, I think you have already spoiled me," said Ahsoka, because this was not her fault.
-That didn't sound like a complaint either," said her master, and they both laughed.
When they arrived at the palace of the Hutt who ruled this planet of miscreants, they were met by Master Kenobi, who was sent to negotiate, and who gave a sigh when he saw them arrive. He then took them to the baby's father, who welcomed them with open arms, and then asked who had his son, and if they had been killed.
His master gave him several holograms showing Dooku and Ventress, pointing them out as the ones responsible, and telling the Hutt that if he wanted justice, he should let them use his transport routes. The Hutt agreed and the meeting ended, but not the mission, for there was a cruiser waiting for them, and Master Kenobi took them there.
Upon arriving at the cruiser, Master Kenobi hurried them to the communications room, where Ahsoka tensed, as a communication from the Jedi council awaited them, and they were all of them. "I didn't do anything, I've only been their Padawan for a couple of days," Ahsoka complained bitterly in her mind, as she shuffled along.
-Masters, is something wrong? -asked her master calmly, and it was a real calm. Ahsoka thought that what they were saying about him was true. "He confessed it himself," Ahsoka chided herself. It was evident that her master was by now accustomed to being dragged before the council to be held accountable.
-Knight Skywalker, has something happened on your way? -Master Plo Koon asked.
-Dooku ambushed me on the road, we crossed sabers a few times, and then he retreated when he saw he had no advantage. The usual," said his master.
Ahsoka could only stare at him stunned, but when the gazes of the entire council focused on her, she regretted her outburst. At times like this, she regretted not having an iron grip on her emotions.
-I just thought that things like this have never happened to me, so I don't think they're usual," Ahsoka said, managing not to say anything and, at the same time, not to lie. Fortunately, her brain was always there to get her out of trouble.
-Knight Skywalker, you've been in too many battles lately. Return to the temple for two days for proper meditation," Master Windu ordered. "They haven't bought it, they haven't bought it at all," thought Ahsoka. Her master, who was not afraid of death, nodded and the council communication ended.
-Anakin! -said Master Kenobi.
-Master? -asked his master innocently.
-Anakin, the force was screaming everywhere. You have done something dangerous, confess at once," said Master Kenobi.
-Master, I have no idea what you are talking about. I didn't feel anything. How do you know it wasn't you who caused it all? -his master asked cheekily. "Yes, he is not afraid of death," thought Ahsoka. Master Kenobi scrunched up his face in frustration and helplessness. He looked at her. Ahsoka gasped, but before they could begin questioning her, her master interjected.
-Master, please remember your position. Do not intimidate others' Padawans," her master said and placed his hand on her shoulder to take her away.
…
The road to Curuscan was filled with strategic retreats by Ahsoka, who evaded the pursuit of a worried Master Kenobi, and when she failed, her master always appeared to rescue her.
…
Upon arrival, Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief that they were not brought before the council for immediate questioning, but she knew it was a matter of time. Perhaps it would be better to pretend to be sick, so her master could leave her behind.
-Master, I think I'm feeling a little sick. I'll go to my old room and meditate in solitude," said Ahsoka.
-Good thinking," praised her master. Ahsoka blinked. Somehow, she felt that something was not right in this relationship. She didn't feel she was learning acceptable ethics from her master. Still, Ahsoka ran without looking back, rushed into her room to secure the door and then leaned against it sighing in relief….
-Haaaaa! -Ahsoka shrieked as she saw half of the council sitting in her room, looking at her curiously. "Master, I've been ambushed," thought Ahsoka in terror.
-I saw nothing and heard nothing," said Ahsoka, who only wanted to cry.
-Things you saw and things you heard, Padawan Tano," said Master Yoda shaking his staff as he nodded. -But you are afraid to tell us, yet you must, for it is important," he concluded.
-Teachers," said teacher Sheak Ty, drawing the attention of the rest. They looked at her and a few seconds later nodded. Teacher Sheak Ty looked at her. -Padawan Tano, will you talk if we offer immunity for you and your teacher, no matter what you have said or done? -Sheak Ty asked. Ahsoka, still with her back against the door, looked at her stunned.
-Is there such a thing? -Ahsoka asked before she could contain herself.
-Consider it done," said teacher Sheak Ty with a smile, offering her a seat.
Ahsoka was quick to nod, accepting the reprieve, for very ugly things had been said in her master's conversation with Count Dooku and, without a reprieve, it would practically be considered treason to repeat them.
Ahsoka sat on her knees, nervous but no longer terrified.
-Padawan Tano, tell us about your master's encounter with Count Dooku," said Windu. Ahsoka nodded and told them everything from the beginning to the incomprehensible end.
-Stay, you say. Reluctant to leave, Dooku seemed," muttered Master Yoda.
-Can he come back from the dark side? -asked Master Sheak Ty in confusion.
-This is a startling revelation," said Master Plo Koon.
-The chosen one will restore balance to the force," said Master Adi Gallia, and the other masters looked at her reproachfully, except Master Yoda, who remained thoughtful.
-Masters, may I know what happened? -asked Ahsoka, since she didn't understand anything. The masters looked at her, and Ahsoka shrank back.
-A struggle of wills, you saw," said Master Yoda. The force trying to regain its balance, you witnessed," he explained.
-From what you have said, Dooku has doubted himself. Knight Skywalker has dealt a severe blow to his will, and that is not supposed to be possible, for Dooku's will is tied to the dark side, and the dark side is corrupt. You can't accuse him of being corrupt and get a response from him," Master Windu explained in confusion.
-I don't think I would accuse him of being corrupt…" Ahsoka shrank back as all the masters focused all their attention on her. Master Sheak Ty looked at the others, who were quick to withdraw their attention from her strength.
-Please continue," said teacher Sheak Ty. Ahsoka just wanted them to leave her room so she could pass out in peace.
-I don't think it was him that my master accused of being corrupt. What made Count Dooku angry was that he told her that in the end, his results would be the same as they are now and that there was no difference between what he claimed to fight for and what he was fighting against. He was just going to remove someone from one place and put someone else the same. Considering this, his current actions were empty and had another purpose behind them, which was to gain power. That's when he got angry," Ahsoka explained.
-Then, Knight Skywalker offered him to give up being a Jedi, and even the Republic, to join the Separatists, only on the condition of stopping the war and fighting the corruption Dooku mentioned," said Kit Fisto understanding.
-If the war ends, Dooku will lose all his power, but not his ideals. Still, he could not give up power and realized that his ideals were false, and that Skywalker was right about him. It was that which caused his will to fall," said Master Sheak Ty. "It was a direct blow to his heart," thought Ahsoka, which is why he looked so distraught when his master offered his hand.
-Without the will to hold it, weak the dark side is. The Force should have prevailed, but it is worrisome that he has succeeded in retreating," said Master Yoda.
-Master, are you saying that someone intervened? -asked Kit Fisto and looked at Ahsoka with suspicion. Ahsoka was stunned, she didn't know what she had done.
-What the Padawan had seen and heard she told. Powerful was the intervening presence, if she has not noticed it. Very disturbing what this raises is," said Master Yoda chewing his own saliva with a regretful expression.
-Master Yoda, you mean there is someone else behind Dooku? -asked Adi Gallia, and Ahsoka opened her eyes wide. "There are more Sith… no, they said he was very powerful, that means there is another Sith Lord," Ahsoka thought with shock. There was another Sith Lord in that battle, and she didn't notice it at all.
Master Windu looked at Adi Gallia with disapproval. Then he looked at Ahsoka, and the way he did it, Ahsoka wondered if they were going to make her disappear so this information wouldn't come out.
-Padawan Tano, your punishment will be severe if the assumptions raised in this meeting come to light," Master Windu threatened. Ahsoka hastily nodded, and the masters got up and left, whereupon Ahsoka proceeded to faint.
Her master came to the rescue a few seconds later, and Ahsoka knew the masters had blocked her surroundings so her overprotective master wouldn't feel her shock, but as soon as they left, he arrived.
-Master, I got amnesty for us," Ahsoka said with a sigh, but she didn't get up from the ground, this had been the most terrifying experience of her whole life. Her master sat next to her on his legs and raised an eyebrow at her.
-There were no scoldings, disturbances of order or fights? -asked her teacher. Ahsoka promised herself to run away with all her might when her master was ready to speak to the council. Her master placed his hand on her shoulder.
-Padawan, from now on, you will be our team's representative to the council," her master declared. Ahsoka fainted in earnest.
NA 1: Hello everyone! I wanted to let you know that these three chapters will be the last ones I'll be uploading for at least two weeks. Instead, I'll be uploading a standalone Xion Saga fic, about Stargate, as well as a UCM fic with Tony Stark and a Game of Thrones fic with Rob Stark.
I also realized when I reread these chapters before uploading them, that I had omitted important parts, which caused errors in the plot. So, I'm going to re-watch The Clone Wars to remember what other things I've forgotten and take the time to edit.
NA 2: Don't forget to leave your comments, bookmark, follow, and subscribe.