Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Formats:

- "Speech"
- "Emphasis or powerful voice"
- 'Thoughts'
- "Memory quotes"

*Thump*…………………………

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……Darth Sygnious presents……

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……Star Wars: Ahsoka of the Zerg……

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…darkness………

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…emptiness………

………mm……

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………where……

…where……am……I…

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Darkness…

…I………hurts……

…“You’re reckless, little one”…

Voices… far away…

“You never would have made it as Obi-Wan’s Padawan.”……

Familiar voices, whispers from so far away…

*Thump*…………………………

“But you might make it as mine”…

…where……am…

…can’t……can’t…

*Thump*…………………………

…………

Darkness……… Nothing …… but darkness.

Stillness……

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…can’t…

…………

*Thump*…………………………

…images…… memories…… barely reaching…… from a deep… deep… nothingness… void……

…M……Ma……ster……

“You’re reckless, little one,” Master Skywalker said, after he sat down with her.

Nothing but the view of a war-torn greenish crystal-like city around them, and lots of wrecked droids nearby.

“You never would have made it as Obi-Wan’s Padawan.”

She sat hunched over, and closed her eyes in sadness.

“But you might make it as mine” he finished, glancing at her, to which she quickly met the gaze of her new Master, with a relieved smile.

“Really?” she thought. Was it really true? They’ve just met, and all they have done up to now is bickering at each other. Oh, and destroying a bunch of droids. And blowing up that shield generator.

Her new master smiled back, slightly.

“Come on”, he said, standing up.

The young togruta swiftly picked up her backpack, and ran after her new Master with great joy. She was really going to be his Padawan!

*Thump*…………………………

…Mas……ter…

Darkness……

…am……

…I……

*Thump*…………………………

Darkness…….nothingness……

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………floating in space, into nothing…

*Thump*…………………………

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……am……………I………

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…dead…?……

“Ahsoka Tano. By an overwhelming count of”…

That sharp voice… His voice…

……Ana…kin…

“… have found you guilty of all the crimes you have been accused of…”

*Thump*…………………………

“…you are hereby sentenced to death.”

……h.……

……help…

……me……

*Thump*…………………………

Cling onto life.

Don’t give up.

*Thump*…………………………

Darkness……

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Asleep……

*Thump*…………………………

*Thump*…………………………

Darkness forever……

Time…or…no time…all void…

…nothingness…

Days…Hours…seconds…all the same…

Seconds…years…eternity…instant…nothing………everything…

*Thump*…………………………

Darkness……

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*Thump*…………………………

………“… you are hereby sentenced to death.”…

Despair.

She stared at Padmé, pleading to herself that this wasn’t true. That she had heard wrong. But Padmé look told her otherwise. The look of horror in her face. The same overwhelming despair she felt brewing inside her chest, trying to push upwards through her throat, threatening to spill over.

“No…”

A part of her feared that this would happen. After all, she hadn’t been too optimistic. But the rest of her was in denial. That this… this?!…

A long prison sentence, like so many others before her, that was what she had prepared herself for, before entering this court. She’d still be screwed, but hopefully, from then on… maybe, just maybe, she, Anakin and Padmé could have worked this out and somehow solved the murders, over the long term. Instead Tarkin demanded the death sentence, and was granted his wish.

The voices all around were nothing more but distant mumbling now. Insignificant. The shock was too great for her to make anything sensible out of them. All she could do was stare at Padmé. Then a quick glance at Captain Tarkin, who bore a smug look, while fighting the increasingly spinning world around her.

Someone yanked her from behind, pulling her away. She glanced back at Padmé, who stood there at her platform, shrinking further and further away from her sight. Nothing but the look of horror reeking from the senator’s face.

She was… She was going to die?…

“Master… Anakin… help me! Please hurry!”

Memories from far… far… away…

… Please…

*Thump*…………………………

… I’m…….

… I’m ……

… hur… hurts……

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… I can’t…

…can’t…

…I…

…can’t…

…can’t…

*Thump*…………………………

Don’t give up.

………

Don’t give up.

………

Cling onto life.

*Thump*…………………………

…So…

……

…tired…

“You’re early,” Louise Raynor muttered, as the mercenary with long red hair was inspecting her ship for damages.

“I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing,” Ahsoka spoke as she came around the corner of her ship.

“I thought patience was something you Jedi excelled at,” the older human said, still looking over the dropship's hull.

“Well, you haven’t said anything about where I can wait,” the younger togruta retorted with a smirk.

“Smartass,” Raynor replied, casting a glance at the eager teenager.

“So, what happened?” Ahsoka asked, curious about the minor damages on the ship’s hull, consisting of tiny blast marks.

“Doesn’t look that bad.”

“Blaster rifles,” Raynor answered, “Got caught by a few battle droids just at the moment I was starting up the ship. They landed a few shots before the deflector shield was up.”

“And Master Skywalker said that you were the best,” Ahsoka teased.

“Best yes,” Louise smirked back, “Efficient. But there’s no such thing as perfect, kid. First, have a good plan. Then, when the plan goes awry, think on your feet. Which, I’d say, your master does very well. Almost too well.”

“He’s a master at that,” the Jedi Padawan chuckled.

“You’ve been with him for only two weeks, how can you possibly know?” Louise raised an eye brow.

“I guess he’s that good?” Ahsoka shrugged.

The mercenary merely shook her head.

“So, tell me Ahsoka, have you ever done any espionage before? Or stealth missions?”

“No! Two weeks, remember!”

“Then I guess today is a first. This should be an interesting trip,” Raynor said, before motioning for her to enter through the ship’s back ramp.

“I’ll look forward to gain some experience,” Ahsoka quipped.

“Good, that will make Rex happy,” Louise said.

Before reaching the back ramp of the ship, Ahsoka noticed some letters at the top of the ship’s hull.

“The Tarsonis,” she read.

“Yes,” the mercenary said, seeming absent-minded for a moment, “I named it in honor for a place that was lost long ago, in a war… far, far away.”

……familiar face………familiar hair………

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…L……L……Loui…se……

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Darkness…….nothingness……

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“did a……stic job tod…Snips”……

…Voices again……………

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“All thanks… your train……aster”……

…barely there………voices……

“Yeah, y……ight”…

*Thump*…………………………

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…An……Anakin……

“I probably do deserve………but not all…it”……

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……where……

“Good thing I know………mean everyt……you say…”……

……are……you……

It all went so wrong… The squadron she was leading… the men under her command… They…

“Ahsoka, I am very disappointed in you,” Master Skywalker said sternly, as he had arrived to her ship, where she currently sat on its wing, dejected by the failure. Her failure.

The first time the young Padawan was leading others, and she got half of them killed.

She looked up at her Master, as his words reached her.

“You not only disobeyed the Admiral, you disobeyed me.”

“I thought I could knock out those battleships,” the teenager replied, “so when Master Obi-Wan arrived, he could get through.”

“I know you meant well, Snips,” Anakin said with an agitated tone, “but there’s a bigger picture that you’re not aware of. First rule of war, listen and obey your superiors.”

“But sometimes you get carried away,” Ahsoka pointed out, as she stood up.

“All that means,” her Master said more softly, putting a hand on her shoulder, “is that I understand what you’re going through.”

“But I failed,” she said, dejectedly.

“It was a trap, Snips. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I lost so many of my pilots.”

“Take heart, little one,” Anakin reassured her, “That’s the reality of command.”

Not that she felt much better. As Captain Rex came and interrupted Master Skywalker, Ahsoka turned and left. She was so… useless…

*Thump*……………

…I…failed……

…failed……

…fai…led…

*Thump*……………

…So…tired……

She paced around in her death cell, looking everywhere. Thinking. Not thinking! Trying to, and failing miserably! Madness! Everything was a turmoil, inside and out! How could this happen?!

How could they listen to that bantha-kriffing sleemo, and not Padmé?! Even if everything pointed towards her…

It was Ventress! She set her up! Why don’t they listen to her?!!

She had given everything for the Jedi, and the Republic! At least, couldn’t they do a proper investigation?! Stand with her, as she had stood with them?! There had to be something someone overlooked?!

Ahsoka frantically looked around, as she had for the last hour. What if she suddenly spotted a small hole somewhere? Or a tiny vent she could… somehow!… escape through?! Something she had overlooked?!

‘What am I doing?!…’

Taking a deep breath, the former Padawan sat down at the cell bench.

‘Calm down…’

…

‘I can’t calm down! I’m going to die! I’m going to kriffing die!!’

And the frightened togruta bounced up again, pacing around, panting, with anxiety exploding inside.

‘I’m going to die… I’m going to die… I’m going to die…’

This gray death row cell was even more depressing than the usual cells she had seen in the Republic prison. Dark gray walls, covering three sides, one bunk bed and a red ray shield that separated her from the world out there. Her only company was the guard, a clone trooper that passed by now and then.

And the eerie silence… In the Republic prison, the hordes of prisoners could at least keep her some company, try to make her forget her plight for just a moment, while shouting their tales of regality, glory and achievements. Maybe their thefts, their achievements. Kill counts…

‘Ugh, what’s happened to me,’ Ahsoka felt a shiver, with a mirthless smile.

In a way, it was morbidly funny what fear of death could do to someone.

“Fear is the path to the Dark side,” master Yoda said many times.

‘Fine and dandy, when you’re fighting out there in a war,’ Ahsoka thought dryly.

‘I’m stuck in here, just waiting to die… For something I didn’t do!!’

She had fought many battles where she could have been killed. She held out against enemies like Ventress and Grievous. And yet, here, all alone, away from the war front, the young togruta was freaking out! No, scratch that! Breaking down! Yes, breaking down!

And this cell… not as bright and cheery as the Republic prison. No, death cells in military prisons are probably meant to crush you even more, before you kriffing die! Take away any last hope, joy, whatever you name it, snuff it away from you, before they finish you off!

Most Jedi would probably sit down and meditate, maybe find an answer in the Force. Peace. Calm. An absolution maybe? Well, she couldn’t find peace, calm, or that karking absolution, or whatever, because these kriffing force binders cuffed on her hands cut her off from the Force!!

‘Master… Padmé… Anyone? Please, now would be a good time. Please help me somehow. Pretty please!’

Her Master would save the day, as he always did! Master Skywalker would find Ventress, and bring her to court. The truth would be revealed! Joy to all!

And Padmé, yeah, she would make her appeal. Drag this out long enough, so her Master could find that witch. Or maybe the appeal court would have more sensible people who would listen to Padmé. There was an appeal court, right? Right?

“Ahsoka?”

She heard Padmé’s voice from behind, and quickly turned around to see her dear friend, on the other side of the ray shield. The clone trooper guarding the cell deactivated it and let the senator in. Padmé quickly pulled Ahsoka into a hug, not wanting to ever let go.

“Oh Ahsoka…” the woman murmured, fighting a hiccup of her own, keeping her tears at bay.

The senator reluctantly pulled away from their embrace, but held on to the teenager’s shoulders, as they looked at each other. Clearly, Padmé still could not comprehend how it had come to this.

“Padmé…” Ahsoka asked shivering “… what are we going to do?!”

“I will fight it!” Amidala declared.

“I will appeal to the higher courts! I will convince them of everything that has been overlooked! Demand a proper investigation! Everything, everything needs to be examined thoroughly!”

“But… Padmé…” Ahsoka spoke weakly.

“Trust in us!” the senator implored, “We will make this right!”

Oh, she wanted to believe her, alright. So why was that constrained despair Padmé worked so hard to hide, still showing in her face, even if only a little? Who was the senator really trying to convince? Ahsoka, or herself?

Padmé took a deep breath, fighting to calm down.

“We will make this right,” she said, asserting a little more self-control over herself.

“…Master Skywalker… he will find her, won’t he?” Ahsoka asked, desperate for hope.

Padmé nodded.

“Have faith in him,” she tried to reassure her, with a strained smile.

“Here is what we’re going to do-”

“Excuse me, madam senator,” a trooper interrupted her from outside.

Padmé turned to see two more standing there, armed with blaster rifles.

“It is time for you to leave,” the one to the left said.

“What?” Padmé exclaimed, eyes widened in shock.

“How dare-?! I’m her advocate, and a member of the Republic Senate, you can’t just throw me out!”

“I’m sorry, but visiting convicted traitors at this time is prohibited. I must ask you to leave,” he said, coldly.

“This is preposterous! According to the laws of-”

“Get her out!” the trooper ordered, before they both seized the senator, and dragged her out, while the third stood by, ready to reactivate the ray shield.

“What are you doing!” Amidala shouted, before casting a horrified look at Ahsoka.

“Ahsoka!” she yelled towards the shocked togruta, before she disappeared from the view. The ray shield was turned back on, shining its red light into the cell.

“Ahsoka! Trust in Anakin!” she heard Padmé yelling from the hallway.

“I will fight with all I-”

Ahsoka heard a scuffle from the hallway, Padmé was clearly trying to resist the guards who dragged her away.

“Don’t- … lose hope!! Believe in him!”

She silently let herself drop down on the floor. What the Force had just happened?!

It would have been merely shocking, had she only been a witness, not the convicted one…

And that turmoil she tried so hard to contain inside, could no longer be contained. Herbreathing increased, faster and faster.

*Thump*……………

Darkness…

…Padmé……help……

Nothingness…

…help me……Padmé……help……

*Thump*……………

Fear…

…please……help……help…

…anyone…

‘Where am I?’

Lost. Away. Alone. In this strange world. Walking steadily, along the open path ahead, surrounded by jungle all around her.

Ahsoka couldn’t recognize this place. And yet, her body just kept moving. Not in a hurry. Just walking silently. Drawn towards… something ahead.

She could hear the the constant buzzing of wild life, all around her. And the roars of beasts, fighting each other.

‘What?… Where?…’

Continuing… walking… walking…

She caught glimpse of the beasts around her from time to time. The fought each other. They ate each other. They mutated… every time a beast ate another, it changed. Grew. Changed form. One grew another arm… another a longer jaw… a third began to spit acid…

She wanted so badly to turn and run away. Maybe find a hidden corner, and find solace in the Force.

But she couldn’t, just kept walking.

What was this place?!

And then it came to her, deep within…

… Zerus…

The name, if it was a name, made no sense. She couldn’t place it.

Continued walking… walking…

“You have come to this place, seeking power…” a deep, dark voice rumbled inside her head.

‘Who was that?!’ she thought, as she felt a chill run down her spine at listening to this deep voice, speaking to her.

“The power is more ancient even than I. It comes at great cost. What will you sacrifice to have your revenge?”

‘Revenge?! But, why- no, I need to get away!’

“You must feel the power. It calls to you. Go to it.”

She wanted to object. She wanted to stop. But her body had a will of its own.

‘Turn around!… Turn around…’ she begged, but it didn’t listen to her.

Eventually she reached a hill. Her destination, she could feel it.

“You are close,” the voice spoke, “The moment draws near. Is your hate still strong enough to make the necessary sacrifice?”

‘Hate?! I’m a Jedi! Peace, not passion! Peace, not passion!’

And there she stood. At the top of the hill, she beheld a large green pool with… a lot.

Bones. Spikes. Tentacles. The pool itself blinked with many small greenish lights everywhere. Organisms, constantly changing?

“The first spawning pool. It existed before names. From this primordial place, the Zerg arose.”

‘The Zerg? Why am I even here?’

Her feet started moving again.

‘No stop!’ she begged, as her legs waded out into the pool.

“Within, one essence split into many. One devoured another and became stronger. The first Zerg.”

There was a pause, before the voice continued.

“You will have your power, and you will lose yourself. Evolve. Transform. Transcend.”

She reached to the middle of the pool.

‘No, stop! Anakin! Padmé! Anyone! Help!’

But to no avail. No one heard her cry for help. No one was there to stop her. She just remained there, until flesh rose up from the pool and engulfed her.

‘Help… me…’

*Thump*……………

…darkness…static…

…what…what is… that… what is…

*Thump*……………

…noise…war…screams…

…I…I… can’t… can’t… I…

*Thump*……………

…noise…screams…war…battle…death…

…I…help…no…I…I…

*Thump*……………

…seeing battle – deaths – screams – war – armies – deaths – screams…

…no…help…I…I…

*Thump*……………

…noise – shots – bombs – agony – deaths – screams…

…Anakin, help me! Help!…

*Thump*……………

…SEEING DEATHS – WOUNDS – AGONY – BLOOD – SCREAMS – BOMBS…

…Please, stop it! Stop it! Help!…

*Thump*……………

…SEEING DEATHS – WOUNDS – AGONY – BLOOD – SCREAMS – BOMBS…

…Anakin! Padmé! Louise! Anyone!! Help!!…

*Thump*……………

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*Thump*……………

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*Thump*……………

……darkness…………

*Thump*……………

…voices……

“Corruption is what happens………….puts their own personal gain before…………. of the people they represent”………………

*Thump*……………

…her own voice……

“Eh, it had its moments.”……

*Thump*……………

“Huh, like the one where you convinced untrained children to help you overthrow a corrupt government?”……

…his voice……

*Thump*……………

“That was a highlight.”……

“You’ll learn to play in time, Ahsoka,” Padmé smiled, as they spent time playing that strategic game of cute small monsters in that corner of the Nubian ship. Except that Ahsoka was not in a good mood.

She had just pulled up her legs up to her chest, and held around them.

“Someday, you’ll even beat me.”

Ahsoka scoffed a little.

“It’s not that,” the young togruta replied.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I’ve been mostly unsure about my abilities on my own,” she explained, “Usually Master Skywalker is there to guide me.”

“When I was queen, I felt the same insecurities as you do now,” Padmé told her, and sat over by the younger girl.

“I had my advisors, but it was ultimately up to me to run the entire Naboo system. And I was very afraid at times.”

"Really? You felt unsure?” Ahsoka queried.

“Oh, yes,” the senator chuckled.

“But I’ve learned to trust in myself, and you will too.”

“Thank you.”

Ahsoka smiled at her.

“One more game?” she asked.

“Absolutely.”

*Thump*……………

…P…Padmé……

*Thump*……………

……H…Help………me……

They made it back… Thank the Force, they made it back!

Ahsoka had never been happier (and ironically dirtier) to see the Jedi Temple than today. After their transport landed at the platform, the Wookies delivered her, Jinx and O-Mer back to the Jedi.

Jedi Masters Yoda and Windu spoke with the Wookie general Tarfful, expressing their gratitude, while the other two Padawans were joyfully reunited with their masters.

Ahsoka was speaking with Chewbacca, when he heard her Master call out to her: “Ahsoka!”

She turned and beamed as she saw Anakin, followed by Master Plo Koon. As they met face to face, Anakin laid his hands on her shoulder, relieved to see her alive and well, while she grabbed his arm, returning the gesture.

“It’s good to see you safe, little ‘Soka’” Plo greeted her, before stepping aside.

“Ahsoka, I am so sorry,” Anakin spoke with regret.

“For what?” Ahsoka queried.

“For letting you go. For letting you get taken. It was my fault,” he pointed at himself.

“No, Master,” Ahsoka tried to reassure him, “it wasn’t your fault.”

“I should’ve paid more attention. I should have tried harder. I…”

“You already did everything you could, everything you had to do,” Ahsoka pointed out.

“When I was out there, alone…” she said, stepping aside, looking at the ground as she thought through it all, “all I had was your training and the lessons you taught me.”

“And because of you,” she looked at him again, “I did survive. And not only that, I was able to lead others to survive as well.”

“I don’t know what to say,” her Master spoke, feeling humbled by her words.

“I do,” Ahsoka smiled at him, before making the Jedi greeting.

“Thank you, Master,” she bowed.

Anakin smiled in gratitude, and returned the gesture. “You’re welcome, my Padawan.”

General Tarfful and the Wookies growled their language as they finished their exchange with the Jedi Masters, and began to leave. Ahsoka and Anakin turned towards the open gate.

Master Yoda watched as they entered, relieved to see the good outcome for Padawan Tano and the other two. Sadly though, others had died at the hands of the Trandoshan hunters. Not everyone would return to the temple. Kalifa’s death was a terrible loss.

Help… me…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…why am I……am I…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…it’s…burning……hurts……help……help…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

“Petro, Ganodi, Byph, Katooni, Zatt, and Gungi,”………

…faces……barely visible………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

“Where we are going, there is no place more sacred than to the Jedi”………

…faces far away………into the void……

*Thump*………*Thump*………

………young faces…………………

“Remember, quiet your mind, and concentrate”………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……Y………Young………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……Young……lings…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……are…………they…………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……are………are………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……they…………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

……are…………

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…………………

She gasped slightly, when she saw who came entering into her death row cell.

“Master Ti? But…”

If Master Shaak Ti was here, did that mean…?

Ahsoka brightened up, daring to feel hope.

“Did Anak- Master Skywalker find Ventress?” she asked, standing up, not able to sit still.

‘Oh please, let it be good news!’

The scowl from Master Ti, however, shut her down.

“It will not do you well to continue lying, Tano,” the Jedi Master replied sternly.

Ahsoka felt ice cold inside, and the world threatened to spin around once again.

“Sit down, Tano”, Shaak Ti said, gesturing towards the bunk bed.

And in her daze, the teenager did so.

“Ahsoka Tano,” the Jedi master began, attempting a more… diplomatic… behavior.

“You will not be among us for much longer now. Soon, you will become one with the Force. For the sake of the victims’ families, and your own as well, I believe it is important that you confess to your crimes.”

The former Padawan was stunned. Her mouth felt dry, yet she couldn’t open it.

“It is important that you make peace with yourself, and with the Force, these final hours of your life.”

Master Ti had attempt a gentle tone, as much as she could. Not that it succeeded, since the younger teenager was too much in disbelief to even comprehend anymore.

Shaak held out a datapad.

“I urge you, sign it. Make peace with yourself, and the Force.”

“Y… You have to… believe me,” Ahsoka croaked.

“No one believes you, Tano,” the Jedi Master again scowled at her, “Not anymore.”

No…one…believes…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…agony……

Please……make… it… stop!…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

Please……make… it… stop!…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…agony……burning sensation……

…why am I……am I…

*Thump*………*Thump*………

…agony……burning sensation……pain……

…it’s…burning……hurts……help……help…

Desperate to get away from the clone troopers hunting her, knowing she had to clear her name somehow, Ahsoka ran all she could through the pipe network, taking random turns now and then, trying to shake off her pursuers.

Eventually, she reached what appeared to be a dead end: The docking entrance to Coruscant’s lower levels, filled with ships traveling upwards and downwards. A suicidal drop from here, for most people.

Panting as she looked around, trying to think of her next move, Anakin called her out from behind.

“Ahsoka, what are you doing?”

“You didn’t even try to come and help me,” she accused him.

“They wouldn't let me in to talk to you,” he shouted back.

“You could have, if you tried!”

“How would that look, Ahsoka, huh?” he retorted, “Forcing my way in would’ve made you look even more guilty.”

“I’m not guilty!” she exclaimed.

“Then we have to prove you’re innocent. The only way we can do that is by going back.”

“I don’t know who to trust!”

“Listen,” he tried to persuade her, “I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka, never. But you need to come back and make your case to the Council.”

“No!” she refused, “I’m not going to take the fall for something I didn’t do!”

“I am ordering you to put down your lightsaber and come with me, now!” Anakin exclaimed.

“You can trust me,” he pleaded.

“General Skywalker, were are you?” a clone trooper shouted from within the pipe network.

“I do trust you,” she said, “but you know as well as I do that no one else will believe me.”

A transport ship had just passed down the pipe opening, catching her attention.

“Anakin,” she said, with a pained look, “you have to trust me now.”

“Ahsoka, I do trust you,” he exclaimed at her.

“I know you do,” she held up her hand, “Wish me luck.”

They gave each other a final look, and then she leapt.

…agony……burning sensation……pain……

Please…make…it…stop…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…agony……burning sensation……never-ending pain……

It…burns…burns…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Pleaaasee… maaake…it…stoooop!!…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…agony……burning sensation……never-ending pain……

It…buuurns… it……buuuuuuuurns!!…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Pleeaase!……Pleeaase!…….Pleeaase!……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…agony……burning sensation……never-ending pain……

Stoooooooop……

Don’t give up.

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Pleeaase!……Pleeaase!…….Huurtiing…

Fear not.

*Thump*……*Thump*……

It is not the end. It is only the beginning.

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Afterlife…………sucks!……

Save your strength, and rest. You will need it soon.

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Rest… yes… I… would… like……to………rest……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…to……………rest……

Cling onto life

Shaak Ti did not get any confession from her that night. As soon as the Jedi Master had turned and left her cell, Ahsoka staggered over to the corner. The one that felt like furthest from the door, trying to find every ounce of safety as she could, even if only imaginary.

The young togruta slowly let herself slide down along the wall, and hugged her own knees.

‘They… They have abandoned me…’

Well, it was obvious already at their trial at the temple...

“It is the council’s opinion that Padawan Ahsoka Tano has committed sedition against the Republic, and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order”

“Your Padawan status will be stripped from you, and you shall forfeit all rank and privileges…”

And yet, somehow Shaak Ti made it dawn upon her the reality of what was happening. This was not a nightmare, it was real!

‘They have abandoned me…’

She sniffled, not paying any heed to the tears that ran down her legs.

‘They… They have cast me out...’

‘I fought so hard for them… for the Republic… so… why?…’

*Thump*……*Thump*……

……fought……Repub……. so… why….

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Why….

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Why….

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Abandoned…me……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Abandoned…me……

A shallow sea, as far as her eyes could see. No land, just water everywhere that reached up to her calves.

No sense of where to go. Knowing nothing. So she just walked. And walked. And walked. Hearing nothing but the splash of water between her legs.

A slight growl came from behind, along with splashing water.

Ahsoka turned around quickly, to see a zergling following her, wading in the water.

‘Zerg!’

She reached for her lightsabers, only to find them missing. Gone. The togruta then stretched out her arms, attempting to toss the zergling back with the Force. But the Force did not respond. She felt nothing…

‘Oh no, this isn’t good,’ she thought.

Another splash to her side, and she looked over to see another zergling. Then another popped up from the water. And another one. And another one.

‘Bad, very bad!’ she thought frantically.

They rose of from the water, now other creatures as well. Hydralisks. Some sort of turtle-creature armed with short scythes sticking up into the air in front of its head, making a gurgling sound.

Swarm Queens. Drones.

Some bloated creatures bigger than zerglings, with sacks full of green liquid. Even gargantuan quadrupedal beasts with their two pairs of enormous scythe arms.

She was surrounded, and they just kept multiplying. The endless sea of water was turning into an endless sea of Zerg.

“Help!” she shouted, “Anyone, help!”

The mass of creatures closed up on her, all moving in a circle around her. Hissing. Growling. Squealing at her. The closest ones began to stretch out their limbs, wanting to touch at her.

Ahsoka looked frantically around in dread, but there was no rescue. Not in the beastly crowd, or in the air above.

No Anakin. No one.

“Help,” she whispered, before crouching down into a fetal position, hoping the pain would be over in an instant.

Not…Zerg…not…Zerg…not…Zerg…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Help…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Fear not

She sat in the cell corner, hugging her legs tightly to her chest.

‘I’m going to die… I’m going to die… I’m going to die…’

Her panting increased.

Thinking about it wouldn’t help.

‘No! Anakin! Anakin! He will make it! He will save me! He will find Ventress!’

*Huff...* *Puff… *Huff…!* *Puff…!* *Huff!* *Puff!*

Clutching around her legs, for dear life.

*Huff!* *Puff!* *Huff!* *Puff!* *Huff!* *Puff!*

‘Help me!’

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…Help……me……help……me……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…I’m……going……to……die……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…Anakin……Help……me……help……me……

‘Anakin!… Force… anything… please…’

She lied there, wheezing, dizzy at the corner, before she came back to herself again. She…… had she panicked? Something about… breathing too hard… becoming light-headed, the world span around… up-side down… or something…

How long had she been laying there?

Slowly sitting up, Ahsoka grit her teeth a little as the force binders on her hands gnawed at her skin, restricting her arm movements.

No matter, it wouldn’t make much difference now. All Ahsoka could do, was to sit there, in that eerie silence. Either stare at that dark gray miserable wall. Or at the red ray shield. Just do nothing, but to count down of how long-

“If you were given a chance at living, would you take it?” she heard a deep voice speak to her.

Ahsoka snapped her head up, and found herself in complete darkness.

‘Who- what?!’ she thought, before getting herself up, and realizing that her hands were free, the force binders were gone.

‘Where am I?’

“If you were given a chance at living, would you take it?” the voice asked again, “No matter the cost?”

Deep, yet it sounded feminine.

“Where are you?” Ahsoka called out, looking around, not seeing anything.

“Who are you?”

Silence…

Then…

“Ahsoka Tano, I ask you again: If you were given a chance at living, would you take it? No matter the cost?”

“At living…” Ahsoka repeated the words.

“What do you mean, ‘No matter the cost’? What cost?” she called back, into the darkness.

Somewhere in those shadows, she caught a glimpse of a… shape?

“What would you give to survive?” the voice asked.

While the voice felt like everywhere, it somehow came from this figure in the darkness.

“What price would you pay?”

“Price?” Ahsoka replied. “What do you mean?”

“How far are you willing to go, to live? What would you give, to have purpose once more?”

‘What price?!’ she thought.

‘What more can I give?… What more can I give? I gave everything! Fought for them! And now there is nothing anymore, they have cast me out! They are going to execute me, for something I haven’t done!’

‘But Master… Anakin… He will save me as always!…’

‘……’

‘Won’t he?…’

‘What if… he fails?’

‘No! He will make it! He’s got to!’

The voice called to her again.

“If you were given a chance at living, would you take-”

“YES!” Ahsoka nearly screamed out to the darkness ahead of her.

“Yes, I would take it!”

Force, everything was falling apart, all around her! She fought so hard, and now, everything…

Somehow, the figure drew itself closer to her. There was a slight purple haze to it. To her? It was a her, right? And… something about her terrified Ahsoka. Deep down, she knew, somehow… that whoever this is, she was not to be trifled with.

The figure gazed upon Ahsoka. Studying her? Weighing her answer? After a silence that felt forever, she finally spoke.

“I must warn you,” she said sternly.

“There is no way back. Should you survive, you will never be the same. You will live again. You will have purpose. But you will be forever changed. Your life as a Jedi is over. You can never return to it. Things can never go back to the way they were.”

“I’m about to die, anyway!” Ahsoka snapped back at her. “So yes, you’re right: My life as a Jedi is over!”

The figure considered her once more.

“Then listen carefully,” she warned.

“Cling onto life!”

Ahsoka merely stared at her, the words made no sense.

“Do you understand?” the figure continued.

“Cling onto life!”

Ahsoka woke with a gasp, and she found herself sitting at that corner, inside the gray cell. The force binders were still cuffed to her hands.

A vision?

But…

‘How is this possible?’ she wondered, staring at her force binders.

Possible? It wasn’t…

And yet, something lingered in the depths of her mind…

Cling onto life...

*Thump*……*Thump*……

Cling onto life.

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…what……does……it……mean……

*Thump*……*Thump*……

They were all around her. They were all in front of her.

Multitudes upon multitudes.

Numberless.

Zerg, everywhere, as far as the eye could see. Ahsoka saw no escape.

And she stood in front of them all. A purple glow. Humanoid. Strange hair. Bone-wings. Energy flowing and cracking around her.

“The Swarm welcomes you,” she declared, with an echoed voice booming all around them.

“No…” Ahsoka whispered, and stepped backwards, shaking her head.

“You are safe among us. No harm shall befall you.”

“No… I can’t!… Stay back!…”

“Who… Who are you?…”

“Seen her, you have. Yes, seen… the Queen of Blades,” a memory called out to her.

“I am the Swarm!”

*Thump*……*Thump*……

“Seen her, you have. Yes, seen… the Queen of Blades.”

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…the…Queen…of…Blades?…

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…stay……back………

*Thump*……*Thump*……

…can’t……………

Resting was impossible. The bunk bed was uncomfortable. And even if it had been a luxury bed in a super expensive hotel suite, she could bet that she wouldn’t get any rest.

Not with her life at stake.

Too many questions jumbling around inside her head, so much fear pulsing through her chest and stomach. Trying to keep a steady breath was difficult.

So, she was going to die, but when? How? How long time did she have? Would Anakin make it? How much time could Padmé buy them? How long could she stall it?

‘Have faith in them, they will make it’

‘But what if they don’t?!’

‘They will… they have to…’

‘But what if…’

Cling onto life…

Force… how long time has it been? It must have been hours now since…

Footsteps. Ahsoka looked towards the ray shields as her montreals picked up the sound of incoming people.

‘Please, let it be good news’

‘Please, let it be Anakin’

Mace Windu showed up at the ray shield, accompanied with clone troopers.

‘No… not you! Not you!’ she dreaded.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

…not you…not…you…

Twitching in the darkness…

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

…please…not…you…

“Ahsoka Tano,” Mace Windu spoke slowly, appearing to weigh his words carefully as the guard deactivated the ray shield.

“The time has come.”

‘T-The time has…?!’ her mind froze.

‘No…’

One of the clone troopers came towards her.

“No… M-Master! I didn’t to it! You have to believe me!” she pleaded.

“Your lies will get you nowhere,” Windu frowned back at her.

“But Master, please, I-”

“Word of advice, kid: drop it”, the clone trooper interrupted her, as he grabbed her shoulder and shoved her in front of himself.

‘No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no-’

‘Anakin, help me!’

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Anakin… help me!…

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Twitching in the darkness. Shaking. Gritting. Fear.

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

‘Why me…’ Ahsoka despaired, as the clone troopers led her along the hallway, with Mace Windu walking in front of them.

“Why?!” she yelled out, at particularly no-one, before freezing in her tracks, having realized that her thoughts came out loud.

Windu silently stared at her over his shoulder, meeting her eyes with an ice-cold gaze of his own.

“That is for you to answer, Tano. Not us,” he replied, before resuming the walk.

One of the troopers shoved her onwards.

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Why……Why……Why……Why……

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Twitching in the darkness…

A wide room, yet still somberly gray. Four more clone troopers standing at attention, with their long blaster rifles held at their sides.

And Wilhuff Tarkin… Tarkin!… of all people, standing there at attention as well. Mace Windu himself and one of the troopers placed her in front of them, closer to the wall.

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Oh her heart, it felt like it would burst itself out of her chest!

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

“Ahsoka Tano,” Captain Tarkin spoke stoically, while conveying his disdain for her through his eyes.

“You have been sentenced to the penalty of death.”

He smugly allowed some time for that to sink in deeper, before he continued.

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Force, she shivered, she was so afraid…

“The penalty shall be carried out by our firing squad, as they will end your life using lethal shots.”

The dread forced itself through her chest, and her panicked breathing increased. Trying her best to force it all back down, to no avail.

*Huff!* *Puff!* *Huff!* *Puff!*

Shivering. Shaking. Biting her teeth beneath the lips, so she wouldn’t clatter.

‘Anakin… Please help!’

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

Cling onto life...

She cast a glance at the door, hoping that somehow… her master would come barging through the door the very last last minute, with Ventress in tow. Just like he has done plenty of times before!

‘Anakin… Please! Anakin! Anakin! Help!’

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

“And Jedi Master Windu has volunteered to aid in your execution. You shall be impaled from behind, by his lightsaber.”

“What?…” Ahsoka peeked over her shoulder, at Windu, who kept a neutral look, before looking frantically between him, Tarkin and the execution squad.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, help!!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Help me… Anakin… help me…

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Shaking, twitching, in the dark… held by the darkness… help by the deep slumber…

Trying to shake free, but to no avail…

Cling onto life.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

She was going to die! She was going to die! Anakin wouldn’t make it! He would not come! She was going to die! She was going to kriffing die!!!

‘Anakin!’

Breathing faster and faster. The fear running rampant in her veins.

“Ready!” Tarkin ordered, watching the four clone troopers lifting their long blaster rifles.

She heard Windu ignite his lightsaber behind her.

*HUFF!* *PUFF!* *HUFF!* *PUFF!*

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Cling onto life.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Anakin!… Anakin!… Anakin!…

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Aim!”

All four clone troopers aimed their long blasters at her.

Windu put himself in ready position behind her, and grabbed her left shoulder.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Cling onto life!

Ahsoka cast a final glance at the door.

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’ she cried, letting her tears fall.

Her final glance ended on Tarkin, who looked at her with satisfaction, savoring the moment.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Cling onto life!

Cling onto life!

Cling onto life!!

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

‘ANAKIIIIIIN!…………’

…

…

…

…

….. thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THU-*

*- UMP- THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!!!*

“GHHH!!”

With a deep gasp, she found herself engulfed in darkness.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP- THUMP!!!*

‘NO! Get me out! Get me out! GET ME OUT! GET ME OUT! GET ME OUT!!!’ she mentally screamed, as she desperately shook to free herself from the bonds holding her at her back, while thrashing inside this confined space, all filled by fluid. In her desperation, she thrust her hands out and pushed outwards with all of her being!

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP- THUMP!!!*

A loud crack sounded all around her, before the darkness gave away and all the walls engulfing her launched out in all direction. As all the fluid gave away to reveal the air, she staggered, unable to keep her balance, and fell over.

It might have been a second, though it felt much longer, before her journey through space ended up in the unending sea.

…

But this was not the unending sea. Far from it. She felt a deep need to survive kicking in, and she pushed herself above the liquid, and gasped for air.

‘Wha… What…’ she panted.

They were everywhere. She felt it. But did not understand. Unable to comprehend. Disoriented. Confused.

‘Where am I?! What is going on?! What is happening?!’

As she begun to get the bearings around her, she felt her panic rising again as she recognized the horde of creatures surrounding her.

The Zerg!

Scores of them. Multitudes upon multitudes. She was surrounded, with no hope of escape!

Masses of zerglings! Hydralisks! All hissing towards her. Not with malice, but with… glee? Affection? Delight? Mutalisks soaring through the air, screeching triumphantly as they passed by. And so many more, creatures she had never seen before. Of all sizes, small, large, huge, including a few of the gargantuan beasts she had seen in… that vision…

The closest packs of Zerg slowly moved towards her, squealing with glee as they gazed longingly at her.

“No! Stay back!” she yelled in fear, instinctively putting up her hand to shield herself from the monster horde she saw.

Nothing… Nothing in her entire life, could have prepared her for what she now saw.

‘My- My hand!……What’s happened to my hand?…’

Horrified she stared at sharp claws, sprouting from her fingertips. And carapace covering her upper arm… Thick, leathery, light-teal skin reaching up to her shoulder.

“No…” she shuddered.

Her upper body, now cowered with the same carapace and teal-colored skin.

“No… No…”

The dread exploded inside her, as she breathed faster and faster in panic, nearing hyperventilation.

‘This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening!’

‘Oh please, tell me it’s only a nightmare!’

“Ahsoka Tano, arise!” a powerful voice echoed its firm command through the entire Swarm, and its mighty presence washed over the multitude of creatures all around her. It washed over her very being, cleansing away all fear, that just a moment ago threatened to consume her.

She was left in a daze, only vaguely aware that the Zerg crowd in front her now moved aside, leaving a corridor in their midst for her to pass through. And there, on the other end, at the shore, there she stood.

The gloriousness of her Majesty. The might of her power. The radiance of her presence.

“Come forward,” she called out.

Ahsoka stepped slowly ahead, too dazed to understand anything. Not noticing the pool she was wading through, reaching up to her knees. Not taking in the multitudes of Zerg surrounding her, watching with glee and joy as she and their Majesty would be united. She was just drawn. Drawn slowly and gently towards the glorious presence, bidding her to come.

Slowly but surely, she reached the shore, and stood there, staring at her Majesty, deeply transfixed by it all. And yet, as by a command, something let go inside her, and Ahsoka slowly came back to her own senses, blinking her eyes as she ‘woke up’.

“What… What is happening?” she murmured, before looking around.

And once again, her fear began seizing her. She was surrounded by Zerg. They were everywhere. Hive structures all around her. They stood at the shore of a large pool, where a short rocky pillar rose from its middle. Its top had the remnants of a chrysalis, the one she had blown up from the inside, before falling over and down into the liquid. From where she had waded to the shore.

She looked down on her clawed hands, with her eyes fixed on them, not able to look away again.

“What is happening to me,” she quavered.

“Peace, Ahsoka,” the Queen spoke gently, as she turned the frightened teenager’s attention back onto her.

“You’re safe among us. No harm shall befall you here.”

“Why?… How?… When?” Ahsoka choked.

The Queen gazed away a little, with a small frown, preparing for what now came next.

“What is the last thing you remember?” she asked.

“Last thing… I remember?”

Ahsoka franticly searched her memory, opening a flood gate of pain.

“Ahsoka Tano. By an overwhelming count of”…

“… have found you guilty of all the crimes you have been accused of…”

“… you are hereby sentenced to death.”

“No…” she anxiously quavered.

“…and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order”

“For the sake of the victim’s families, and your own as well, I believe it is important that you confess to your crimes.”

“No…” she clutched her head.

The livid memories.

“Ready”… “Aim”……… “Fire!”

…searing burns penetrated her body… most burning sensation through her stomach. …head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

“No!” her tears spilled out.

Her fear going in circles. The rescue that never came. The burning lightsaber through her abdomen. Abandonment. Left to die. Rejected by those she fought with. Fought for!

“No…” she sobbed, while feeling the world spin more and more hold.

What was it all for…

“No…”

They didn’t believe her…

“No…”

They cast her out… they rejected her… they killed her…

Pain spreading. Lump in her throat ever so big. A hurting sensation all over her body. Her life snuffed out, to nothing. All taken away from her. Her friends. Her family. Her life. Herself.

She couldn’t take it… take it anymore…

At last, her legs gave away. Yet fall over she did not, for the Queen had already embraced the weeping togruta, giving all comfort she could, shielding her from the Swarm’s presence. And as Ahsoka was too numbed by her inner pain and turmoil, not comprehending what happened around her anymore, the Queen of Blades gently lifted the broken teenager into her arms, and slowly carried her towards the nearby Hive Palace. All under the gaze of the Swarm, that silently eyed their Queen and their newly awoken kin, the one whom they had longed for. So broken. So precious.

Coruscant, 500 Republica
Moments earlier

“AHSOKA!!” Anakin all but screamed as he tossed himself up from the bed. Padmé woke up startled, only to find her husband frantically pacing around. Panicked, mumbling to himself.

“Anakin!” she called out to him, but he had already disappeared out the door. The senator quickly got out of her bed and hastily threw on her night gown. She found him staggering around in the living room, still mumbling and shaking.

“Anakin!” she grabbed onto him. She put her hands onto his frightened face, and turned his attention to her.

“Look at me, Anakin,” she spoke slowly, and clearly, “Look at me!”

‘Force, his face is all wet!’

“Anakin, it’s okay. You are on Coruscant. Everything is okay,” she tried to guide him.

“It’s Ahsoka!” his voice cracked in despair, “She’s in so much pain!”

‘What?! That’s impos-’

“She’s hurt. Confused. Afraid. Oh, she’s so afraid. So……alone…”

“Anakin,” Padmé spoke slowly to her husband, trying to reach through.

“It was a dream. It. Was. A. Dream.”

Anakin seemed to calm down a little.

“She’s dead, Anakin,” she continued, looking into his eyes, “She’s dead. You only had a dream.”

She pursed her own lips.

“It’s been…” her voice cracked as well, as that lump in her throat swelled beyond her control. Her walls came crashing down. Again.

“It’s been two months. Two months since she was taken away from us,” she cried.

Anakin embraced his tearful wife.

“I miss her, Padmé. I miss her… so much…” he sobbed onto her shoulder.

“I know,” she hiccuped, “So do I…”

She lost her remaining strength to speak.

The senator and the Jedi Knight remained in each others embrace, loosing track of time as they gave whatever comfort they could to ease their pain, for their dearly beloved friend, sister, family.

The one whom they loved. Whom was taken away from them…

Chapter Text

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

“NO!” she screamed, and was fully awake.

Trapped inside a greenish organic pod.

“No! Get me out! Get me out of here!” Ahsoka yelled, and pushed and flayed her arms at her apparent imprisonment. The pod gave way immediately, with its gelatinous liquid getting thrown all over the floor. Staggering onto the ground, looking around her, she quickly saw that the walls were made of flesh. All organic. So was the floor. She could see it so clearly, despite the weak light in this room. A calm pulsing reached her montreals, emanating from the walls all around her.

‘It this… What is… I’m inside… a hive?!’

‘How did I get here?!’

Voices… distant voices coming quickly back her… images, forcing themselves out of her memories.

“… you are hereby sentenced to death.”

“…important that you confess…”

“Fire!”

With her recent memories flashing through her mind, she clutched her head, and dropped down on her knees, while struggling to breathe. Taking a minute, she forces herself so calm down, slowly regaining control of her breath. Then she let go, opened her eyes and looked down onto her hands again. Her clawed hands. Her infested, clawed hands.

“No…” she shuddered, staring at the razor-sharp claws that extended her fingers by half.

‘Please, end this nightmare, this can’t be real! Just stop!’

But reality is never that kind. She was all too awake, all too aware, and Ahsoka knew it. This was not a dream. This was real.

Her breathing increased again, as the horror of her situation dawned more and more upon her.

‘I-… I need to get out of here!’

Getting up, she frantically stepped towards what made out to be the organic door. And just so, it opened as she was about to push through it. The frightened teenager moved in a hurry along the hallways of this organic structure.

A hiss stopped her dead in her tracks, as a zergling approached her gleefully. And she felt it inside her mind, it came in! And more! More came in! They knew she was awake. They wanted in. More and more prods towards her mind.

She felt them! She felt their presence! Their emotions! Their thoughts, simple and primitive as they were. Aiming at her. Wanting her! Surrounding her mind, encroaching upon her very being!

“NO!” Ahsoka screamed, and clutched her head, forcing them all out, raising a wall as best as her Jedi training had taught her.

Jedi-!

Another deep stab of pain hit her inside, adding to her emotional turmoil.

The zergling looked at her confused, and made a worried hiss, trying to approach her calmly. Why was she closing it out?

“No, stay away from me!” she shouted at the creature, holding out her hand against it. Now she heard the change.

‘My- My voice!’

The echo in her voice was beyond anything she had heard before. The echo, in her own voice! They had twisted her voice! How much more were these things going to take away from her?!

Another hiss, from a hydralisk approaching her, from a different tunnel. It wanted her attention. It wanted to connect.

“No!” she screamed in fear, and with a thrust of her arm, she sent out a Force push and tossed it back to where it came from.

Frightened, Ahsoka turned and ran. She passed Zerg creatures on her left and right, trying to keep her distance from them, doing whatever she could do to avoid getting caught.

She reached an opening, and found herself out in free air. Frantically looking around, trying to find an escape. Trying to hastily assess where she was. What was going on.

‘3, 4, 5, 6… 7, 8… 9…… 10………’

Ahsoka stopped counting as she took in the sight around her, loosing her breath for a second. The Zerg structures were not in mere dozens as she had seen before. They were in hundreds! She had never seen a Zerg Hive Cluster this big and numerous before. Creep covered the ground everywhere.

Nearby she saw a large pool, with a short rocky pillar situated in its middle, carrying the remnants of something organic. Which, she would later learn, was the remnants of a certain chrysalis. Looking to where she came from, Ahsoka found that the Zerg structure she just left was the largest of them all. She could feel it, the presence of them all radiated strongly from this one. A center of sorts. And as she scoured upwards, she saw a tall mountain cliff springing up from behind this palace, and above the mountain, there were the skies… All clouds. All dark brown. Filled with mutalisks passing above them.

Hisses, growls, chirps, purring, all around her snapped her out of it, and the togruta watched as multitudes of Zerg creatures, all around her, small and larger, slowly approached her. Zerglings. Hydralisks. Strains she had never seen before, like the one turtle-like creature close to her, with its spiked shell, six relatively small legs and two downward scythes sticking up into the air in front of its head.

*Thump!*

She turned her head, and her eyes widened as she watched a gargantuan creature approach her as well. It was one of those huge beasts with long scythe-arms, the same one she had seen in… that… vision… when…

She felt them prodding onto her mind, once again. Prodding against her protection. She felt… glee… affection… Their affection?

They wanted in.

“No, stay back!” Ahsoka growled to the multitudes surrounding her, before calling upon the Force and leapt out of their encirclement.

‘I need to get away! I need to find help!’

And so the togruta ran again, as fast as she could. Zerg structures and creatures passed by her left and right, while she did her best to simply… just… get away. Find a way out of here. Avoid getting captured!

But where the karking hells was she? Where would she-

‘There!’

Ahsoka saw a few tree lines in the vicinity, and desperately electing for anything different than a Zerg Hive, she ran towards them as fast as her feet allowed her. And as she reached them, the togruta saw a slight downward slope, and more mountains ahead. The landscape ahead of her lead into two wide openings. Two valleys, among the mountains. And there was more vegetation, especially in the one to the left. Dense sets of trees, huge leaves. A jungle.

‘Stay… away!’ Ahsoka growled again, demanding all those creatures popping up in her mind to get out, raising her mental shields as best as she could, and as she heard the hordes of creatures behind her calling out to her, slowly catching up to her, she ran all she could. Out of her desperation, she elected a jungle over open plains.

The togruta kept going. Running. Pushing through the increasingly dense bushes and branches in her way. Swatting them aside when blocking her path.

Running… Pushing on…

She had no idea on how long she had been pushing herself, when she finally came to a pond, somewhere there inside that jungle. The sight gave a temporary pause to her need to flee. The place felt… more quiet. Peaceful. Undisturbed. Unspoiled. Tranquil.

Paying attention to her surroundings, it occurred to her that there was no creep on the ground. The soil was natural. The sound of the wildlife within this dense jungle reached her montreals. The buzzing of insect life, almost like a chorus. The sound of bird creatures hiding in distant trees. Occasional roars from larger beasts, out on hunt in their territories. A chorus of life. As if the Zerg had never been here.

Even their invasion of her of her mind had stopped. She was alone, on her own.

Ahsoka began to feel dizzy again. Heavy. She leaned over to the nearest tree, before exhaling, and out of a sudden, her breathing became shaky and labored. It was fine just a minute ago, now she was struggling to catch her own breath, clawing onto the tree for support, as her world was spinning around.

Clawing… Ahsoka cast a glance at her hands… her claws. The mere sight of them filled her with revulsion, and she pushed off the trunk, and staggered forward, towards the pond, and failing to do so, as she dropped down onto her knees, struggling to catch her gasping breath. Her emotions, fear, terror, running amok.

Normal soft ground… dirt… she could feel it as she grasped onto it with her clawed hands. Trying to center on it. Finding an anchor point in this spinning world of hers.

Staring down… her knees… a few carapace-spikes strutted up at her knees. Above it, her thighs were covered with leathery skin, in light-teal color. She sat back and looked over the rest of her legs. Chitin-like carapace was covering her shins, with spikes sticking out on the outer sides of her legs. There was a dark-brownish color to that hard stuff. Her feet had a mix of carapace and colored skin, with short, bent claws sticking out of her toes.

‘What have I become!…’

‘What have they done to me…’

Trying to move on, trying to force whatever was left of her sanity, onto something more practical… she began to move around on her feet, to get a feel for them. Ahsoka found that in spite of the possible rigid strength of the carapace and possibly her muscles, the feet were as flexible as they had ever been.

Her eyes followed upwards onto her torso. Her stomach-

…not even able to gasp for air, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her belly…

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!!*

Ahsoka clutched onto her head, gritting her teeth, fighting against the memory, and the burning sensation in her stomach that accompanied it, along with the panicked breathing, and her heartbeat hammering in her chest.

‘Go… away… go… away…!’

Slowly, as she opened her eyes again, she saw no purple lightsabers protruding out of her stomach. In its place, there was thick carapace, covering all the way up to just above her chest.

And if she were to be honest… she couldn’t tell which was worse. At least, the lightsaber guaranteed certain death. But this?

The turmoil inside her wouldn’t let itself be contained much longer, and a sob forced its way out, with new tears spilling out.

‘This can’t be happening…’

Trying her best to calm herself down, and focus, Ahsoka continued looking over her chest area. She still had her feminine shape, but was covered with carapace across most of her breasts. Only the upper parts had visible light-teal skin. Above her breasts were a set of carapace ridges across her collar.

So, she had still had the features that were typical for most females, except that they were all buried under lots of Zerg armor now, against her will. [1]

The togruta’s gaze continued along her right shoulder and down her arm. Thin carapace covering her shoulder. Her upper arm having the thickest muscles she’s ever seen on a female her size, covered by the leathery skin. And her lower arms… covered by that thick coral-like carapace, lined with a set of small spikes at her outer arm. All this was mirrored by her left half as well.

Next she lifted the bottom tip of her right lekku into her palm. Her colors… her beautiful colors were gone. No more was there any white with blue strips. Instead, there was hideous dark brown carapace covering it all, with a pattern everywhere, which was reminiscent of dry mud ground, but much smaller and more dense. And the tip sported a short talon.

Again, her pain ached inside, and tears were streaming down her face.

Her face…

Ahsoka didn’t want to, the dread was already weighing so heavily on her.

No, she had to. Not trusting her legs to hold her shaking body, Ahsoka slowly crawled herself forward, to the pond. As her hands reached the water, and she crawled on a little more, the feeling of the cold, fresh water brought her a momentary pause to her horrors. In fact, she would say she could feel it more clearly than “usual”, if that made any sense. But as soon as she saw her hideous face in that reflection, she gasped.

It was her face alright, but the orange color was mostly gone. Leaving behind a bleak color instead. Her facial marking had a tinge of green, her eyes were glowing light-green. And a few darkened veins could be seen. Her Akul headdress was missing. Gone.

‘No…’

She couldn’t bear to look at the freak anymore, and she forced herself out of the pond, and embraced her knees in a fetal position, swaying herself back and forth.

‘I’m infested!’

‘I’m a monster!’

Sobbing…

‘This wasn’t supposed to happen…’

She shook her head.

‘I’ll kill millions’

She tightened the grip around her legs.

‘So many will die, by my hands’

She struggled to breathe.

‘Why…’

‘Why did this happen?’

‘You were supposed to protect me…’

Flashes of faces, now accompanied by pain.

“Always in motion is the Future, and many possible futures there are.”

‘Why didn’t you stand with me?’

Yoda…

“Remember your teachings, young Padawan,”

‘How could you do this to me?!’

Mace Windu…

“You’re soon coming of age. I will teach you the ways of our people, the togruta, and our rites.”

‘You didn’t believe me!’

Shaak Ti…

‘I fought for you!’

Images of war. Death. Dead clones. Dead people. Innocent people who suffered. She holding her ground to fight off invading droids. Images of her fighting against Ventress. Images of her fighting against Grievous.

‘I fought so hard…’

Another sob.

‘I fought so hard for the Jedi.’

“Welcome, Padawan. In order congratulations are.”

The Jedi Council… all sitting around her in the Council chambers…

“It is the Council’s opinion that Padawan Ahsoka Tano has committed sedition against the Republic, and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order”

All standing tall above her as they condemned her.

‘I fought so hard for the Republic.’

“Members of the Senate! Do you hear yourselves? More money, more clones, more war. Say nothing of fiscal responsibility, what about moral responsibility? Hasn’t this gone on long enough?”

“…has been confirmed as a Separatist attack. They must pay for what they have done!”

Memories of the Senate. Of senators, good and bad.

‘I gave everything!’

“Ahsoka, are you well?”

‘And you… you…’

Obi-Wan…

"I see Anakin's new teaching method is to 'do as I say, not as I do'. Welcome aboard."

‘How… How could you?!’

Obi-Wan.

Gritting her teeth, fighting to contain the increasing onslaught of pain inside.

“Ahsoka, you know that we are here for you…”

Obi-Wan Kenobi!

Her Grandmaster, he condemned her as well.

“Obi-Waaan!!” she screamed out in agony!

“Reached a decision, we have…”

“Yodaaa!!”

‘I was your Padawan! I stood with you!’

There is no emotion; there is peace.

‘Where were you, when I needed you the most?!’

Breathing so hard, struggling to contain herself.

There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.

‘That’s right, you all sat upon that gallery and watched, as you fed me to the wolves!’

Taking deep breaths.

There is no passion; there is serenity.

‘I fought so hard for the Republic, and they… they… they did this to me!!!’

Losing control over her breathing.

There is no chaos; there is harmony.

‘I fought so hard……… So how could you…’

There is no death; there is the Force.

‘It’s a lie… It’s all a lie… It’s all a kriffing lie!!’

Hiccups, as she swayed back and forth, now on her knees, holding onto her stomach for dear life.

‘It was all a lie!’

‘It was all a lie!’

She tipped over to her knees.

‘Everything has been for nothing!!’

‘It was all a lie!!’

And the broken girl could not hold it back any longer.

She grasped onto the ground, as she let out a powerful wail, all echoing through the jungle, screaming out all her pain while desperately grabbing on and clawing on the ground in front of her.

The wailing lasted for quite some time, as Ahsoka kept on screaming and screaming. All the pain. All the horror. All the dread. For all loss, for the life she was robbed of, for how they had cast her out, for how they had let her die, for the monster she would now become… If she hadn’t already.

She became vaguely self-aware at some point, and noticed only barely that she was lying on her back. Not knowing how long she had been here. Near the pond, staring up in the blackened sky. Too numb to feel. Too numb to move. Too numb to care. Too numb to think.

Numbness. Pain. Agony. All eating her up inside, and finishing off whatever was left of her remnant soul…

But… she did notice… see… the clear skies above. This pond gave a clearing through the thick branches above.

It was dark. Evening at earliest. Likely night now. She never had too much time for star-gazing, with the war going on, but now… now as she was seeing them clearly...

Burning bright. Blissfully. Ignorant. Not spoiled by the war and destruction. Living lives of their own. Free from all burden. Just living on, in peace. No pain. No awareness.

Stars… so free… so happy…

Ahsoka wasn’t alone anymore. She had arrived, and was present.

The togruta weakly tipped her head aside, and saw the Queen standing there, looking down at her, not revealing any emotion of her own.

Now as she saw the Queen, she took notice of her traits, and noticed similarities, as well as differences. For one thing, she had purple color instead of light-teal. The breasts were more exposed than her own, with leathery skin. Small carapace spikes sprung out of her right shoulder. The eyes glowed with purple, and tiny flecks of purple glow were spread around her body. A mass of long tentacle-hair. Ears, like… If Ahsoka hadn’t known any better, she would say that this woman had once been human.

And the most unique and profound feature of them all: The bone-wings that sprang out from the Queen’s back, with their razor-sharp tips. Kind of like an Angel of death, from ancient human mythology. A fitting comparison.

There was more, Ahsoka could tell. There was something powerful about her, something she felt radiating from her. Yet it felt subdued. Like it was shielded from her.

The same Queen as in her vision.

The one she saw on Mortis.

The one master Yoda spoke of.

And the one who now had infested her!

“I am the Queen of Blades,” she spoke, “I rule the Zerg. The Swarm and I, are one.”

“And I welcome you, Ahsoka Tano, to the Swarm,” she held her arms out.

“You…” Ahsoka whispered. In spite of being heavily exhausted, a newfound spark of rage inside her helped renewing her strength.

“You…” she growled, slowly standing up.

“What have you done to me?!” she shouted at the Queen, and winced as she again heard the profound echo in her own voice.

“I did warn you, Ahsoka,” the Queen replied, her own voice also having that distinct echo.

“I did warn you, that you will never be the same. There is no way back.”

Ahsoka stared at the Queen in shock, the memory returning to her in full force.

“I must warn you. There is no way back. Should you survive, you will never be the same. You will live again. You will have purpose. But you will be forever changed. Your life as a Jedi is over. You can never return to it. Things can never go back to the way they were.”

“It- It was you!” she exclaimed, as the realization hit her.

“You spoke to me in that cell!”

“Yes, I did,” the Queen confirmed.

“Why…?” Ahsoka shook her head.

She gazed away for a moment, before another burst of rage quickly built up inside her.

“You should have let me die instead!” she growled in anger, “Instead, you’ve turned me into a monster!”

“A monster, you say?” the Queen replied with a hint of dismissiveness, and stepped closer to the infested Togruta.

“Was it my Swarm that tore you apart?”

“No, I…”

The Queen moved her left bone-wing across her shoulder, and had its lowest tip hang in front of Ahsoka’s face.

“See the tip of my bone-wing,” she said, now standing in front of her.

“Now, tell me: Was that what impaled you from behind?” she asked while tapping on Ahsoka’s abdomen with her own claw.

“No,” Ahsoka shook her head carefully.

‘It was Mace Windu’s lightsaber.’

The Queen tapped onto other distinct parts of her torso.

“Did you find any hydralisk spines sticking out of your body, as you lay there dying?”

“No,” Ahsoka sighed in defeat.

‘It was blaster fire.’

The Queen moved on, looking over the small, silent pond, before giving a quick glance to the skies above.

“Did I send out children to fight in a war?” she continued.

‘Depends on how you define children. Technically, while any hatched zergling would be younger than me-… What am I doing?’ Ahsoka groaned mentally.

The Queen asked a rhetorical question, not one about technically. She missed the slight twitch on the Queens lips, not knowing that her last thought had amused her.

“No,” Ahsoka conceded.

If the Togruta was to be honest with herself… If anyone else had sent children to war, she would have called out the madness of doing so. But instead, when the Jedi did the same with her and her peers, she didn’t mind a bit. No complaints. She had eagerly accepted it. To help others. Because she was Jedi, and-…

Another stab of pain hit her inside her chest, and Ahsoka instinctively took a deep breath, to keep herself centered, while the Queen turned and looked at Ahsoka, about to continue.

“I get your point!” the Togruta interrupted her with a growl, “It was the Republic that sent me to war, and had me executed, not the Zerg Swarm.”

“No, you don’t get the point,” the Queen countered.

“You only see the tip of the ice berg. If you knew what we know about the Republic, you would be disgusted. Disgusted by yourself. Disgusted by what you really fought for. And disgusted by the Order.”

“What the kriff are you talking about?” Ahsoka angrily demanded.

The Queen didn’t answer, but instead motioned with her arm for Ahsoka to sit down, beside the pond.

“There is much to explain. And still much more you’re not ready for, yet. This will take some time.”

Ahsoka stared at the Queen, still feeling the anger deep below, but agreed nonetheless, and sat down with her legs crossed. So did the Queen, as they sat opposite of each other, beside the silent pond. The buzzing of wild life continued so in the background, all around them in this jungle. Ahsoka watched her counterpart, who kept a more neutral face once more, and sat calmly there in front of her. Prepared. Gauging her?

“You have many questions, young one,” the Queen spoke, “Our hive mind has vast amount of knowledge that you may access at any time, but you’re closing yourself off from us, and you dare not trust us. Which I do understand, given what you’re going through. Therefore, I will answer you the old-fashioned way.”

‘Old-fashioned…’ Ahsoka dryly thought.

‘Where do I even begin…’

“Where are we?” she asked, opting to start with something rather basic.

“Far away from the Republic,” the Queen began answering. “We’re deep within what you call ‘The Unknown Regions’”

“This world is Genesis Prime,” she waved her hand around.

“I named it so, as this is where the Zerg first descended when we came to your galaxy. Back then, we were few left, and broken. And from this world, the Zerg Swarm was revived. We began anew, and in time we flourished, as we became numerous and full of life, and multiplied throughout space once more.”

‘Genesis Prime…’ Ahsoka thought, before she gazed down on her body, and saw a purple lightsaber impale through her abdomen, with a burning sensation spreading throughout-

‘No!’ she gritted her teeth, and forcefully commanded the memory to move aside.

Taking a deep breath, trying to control herself, she now saw her carapace-covered stomach. Still couldn’t tell what was worse.

“PTSD, it seems,” the Queen spoke, more gently, “You have my sympathies.”

“How bad was it?” Ahsoka whispered.

At which the Queen gazed slightly away with a frown.

“Very bad. We nearly lost you, three times.”

Looking back at Ahsoka, she continued.

“You were impaled by a lightsaber, through your abdomen. You were shot at several critical points across your chest and diaphragm. No one survives that.”

A short pause, before she added, “Well, not without Zerg intervention, at minimum”.

“Four of your five internal organs were destroyed. They are replaced with new ones that we grew inside you, while you slept in the chrysalis. As you now have seen for yourself, your whole body has changed. Complete infestation was the only alternative we had, to revive you.”

Ahsoka clenched her fists, feeling regret and anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me who you were? Why didn’t you tell me that you… you… offered me… this?!” she asked bitterly, holding up her clawed hands.

“Because you would have rejected my offer. You would have chosen death instead, over survival.”

“Karking hells, yes, I would!” Ahsoka shouted at her.

“You would have done so on wrong grounds,” the Queen calmly retorted.

“Your Jedi Order think themselves-” she continued, but halted, weighing her choice of words.

“What you know… about the Republic… Like I said, is only the tip of the ice berg. The same counts for the Zerg Swarm. Your knowledge is limited. And it is so, by my design.”

Ahsoka stared suspiciously at the Queen.

‘Limited, by her design?’

“You would have rejected my offer, out of fear. Out of what you thought you knew about us, yet there is so much more which you don’t know. Your life would remain forfeit. Cast aside, for nothing. The Republic would move on, so would the Jedi Order. Perhaps except for Skywalker and Amidala.”

A pang of sadness hit Ahsoka, as she heard their names.

‘Anakin…’ she thought bitterly.

‘Padmé…’

‘What has happened to you? Are you okay? Please, be okay!’

“I’m not without sympathy for you, however. I’m well aware of the fear people have for infestation, and it is with good reason. And believe me when I say, that I do not enjoy infesting people. This would not be my preferred solution, had there been any other options.”

“Oh really?! What about the ships we have intercepted, drifting from Zerg Space? What about all your victims?! Over so many years?!” Ahsoka demanded.

“We do not take lightly on tress-passers,” the Queen answered, “wether it’s accidental or not. But I do not infest unless they incur my wrath.”

The Togruta narrowed her eyes in thought, analyzing the answer.

“Incur your wrath? So you’re saying that… that…”

“For most people, especially civilians, I merely wipe their minds of our encounter,” the Queen explained, “But for others, like the ship you encountered…”

“They were not so innocent,” Ahsoka realized.

The Queen shook her head, hiding a subtle anger beneath her eyes.

“Slavers,” she said, with a tinge of disgust, and Ahsoka widened her eyes, feeling cold for the first time.

“They traveled regularly to Zygerria. They had recently sold off a cadre of slaves, which they before then had… severely abused.”

Despite her transformation, the togruta actually felt briefly sick to her stomach.

“They took a detour through Zerg Space, to avoid a Republic cruiser on patrol. And fell instead into our clutches.”

The Queen appeared calm, but Ahsoka could sense the ice cold fury, hidden behind her livid eyes.

“I have personal rules against interfering in other civilizations, as long as they do not threaten the Swarm. Nothing good comes out of it. But… when such… filth!... enter our space, they will answer to me!”

“Infestation, with their minds consumed by the Swarm, reducing them to only a shadow of their former selves, enslaved to us. The full punishment, worse than death. And it instills the necessary fear upon the Republic, to leave us alone.”

The Queen took a pause to calm herself.

“With you, however, we did it differently. We did not seek to punish you, but to save your life. Firstly, as I sincerely hope you have noticed by now, you still have a will of your own. After all, you yourself chose to run all the way out here.”

Ahsoka couldn’t tell if it was meant with a twinge of humor, or not.

“Secondly, instead of your body mutating randomly, we’ve given you a specific design. One you’ll find to be powerful, and lethal.”

“Nevertheless, you are altered. Very altered. Both physically and mentally. The Zerg instinct in you will be strong, as it alters your behavior. And as any other Zerg, you are now tethered to the hive mind with the rest of us. Your thoughts, your emotions, your very presence, are joined with us. And we, with you. We are one.”

‘Not if I can block it, and keep it at bay!’ the Togruta thought to herself.

“But, as I initially have said, infesting you and joining you with the Swarm was not a choice I took lightly. If I saw any other viable alternatives, I would have taken them instead.”

“Why me?” Ahsoka asked.

“Why did you choose me?”

‘People die every day. Why save me, of all? Why now?’

“If I’m to be honest… I still don’t know,” the Queen answered, drawing a confused look from Ahsoka.

“All I can say is that… There was something about you… Something that made it seem… necessary.”

The Queen sat still, thinking over her answer.

“Maybe I felt sympathy. Maybe it was just on a whim. It just felt necessary. And I’m not much of a believer in fate or prophecy, even with the presence of your Force.”

“I do know one thing, however,” she looked at her. Almost revealed a glint in her eyes?

“You survived.”

“We got you out, put you in stasis, and then you were put into the chrysalis and the process began. You fought hard, Ahsoka, you held on. You clung onto life! You nearly died three times, during the early phase. I used my powers to stabilize you as best as I could, and you held on. You fought, and you won! You survived.”

“What have I won, exactly?” Ahsoka spat back.

“I survived only to become a freak!” she finished, holding up her claws in display as her anger flared up again. At which the Queen stared back at her, with a rather unimpressed look.

“How did you get me out?” Ahsoka continued, despite her annoyance.

“I guess the prison guards wouldn’t let me go so easily?” she added sarcastically.

“Quite right,” the Queen nodded, “Breaking you out before the execution was impossible. You were heavily guarded, three times the normal guard detachment, including several Jedi Masters. With the public demanding action, and Tarkin hell-bent on having you shot, they took absolutely no chances with you. I would have required a Zerg army to set you free.”

‘And that would cause a war,’ Ahsoka nodded in understanding.

“However…” the Queen smirked, “You’d be surprised at how easy it is to steal a body from the morgue. Especially with the extensive damage to yours. Your survival was considered impossible at that point, even with medical aid. They left you there for dead.”

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes.

“Wouldn’t such damage make me… die… in stasis too?”

“Probably nine out of ten times, yes,” the Queen agreed, “Though it depends on the type of stasis, and the technology in use. I used a Xel’naga artifact to keep you alive.”

“Xel’naga? What is that?”

The Queen narrowed her eyes in thought, before answering. “Ancient Zerg history, you will learn more about it later. For now, lets just say that there are almost no traces left of the Xel’naga. Not in this galaxy, as far as I am aware. The very few artifacts we do possess, rivals the power of the ancient Rakata. Likely, even more powerful.”

‘Powerful ancient artifact… yeah, that might actually work. Probably froze time around me, or something.’

“And even then, the fact that you made it to our transport before stasis… Your wounds were so severe, that we didn’t think you’d survive that long when we found and retrieved you.”

“I suspect…” she said in deep thought, “that there may be more to you, Ahsoka, than meets our eyes.”

“So, you broke me out, put me in stasis, and had me infested,” Ahsoka summed it up.

“How did Anakin…” her voice almost cracked.

Just thinking about him in the midst of all this was painful on its own. Ahsoka had to take another deep breath, before trying again and choking out the next question:

“How did Anakin… and Padmé… How did they… take it, when you… stole me from the morgue?”

The Queen noticed the double meaning in the question, in the midst of the girl’s sorrow.

‘How dare you take me away from my beloved friends, denying them the opportunity to say goodbye to me? Do they even know what you have done to me?’

She sighed, but not so much at the question itself, but for what she knew was coming next.

“They don’t know,” she said bluntly, causing Ahsoka a slight shock.

“What? Why not?”

“First of all, we covered our tracks well,” the Queen explained, “The authorities don’t know that we did it.”

“But- But they must have discovered me missing!… Unless… You didn’t…?” Ahsoka stared at her, with another horror brewing, at the idea now forming in her mind.

“No, Ahsoka, we did not leave a fake body behind,” the Queen refuted, at which the togruta let out a sigh of relief.

“However… only mere hours later, Tarkin had a casket with your “body” burnt in an incinerator. A few high-ranking officers and Jedi Council members were present as witnesses.”

Ahsoka just sat there, and blinked.

“This was done with haste and quietly, no friends or family were notified. A recording of it was made public the next morning. A most undignified ceremony, if there ever was one.”

“HE DID WHAT?!” Ahsoka exploded into rage, and quickly sprang up, unable to contain the sudden eruption from within.

“But of course, as we both know, you are here,” the Queen continued, standing up herself.

“So the casket was either empty, or had a decoy. Either way, you’re officially dead. From what I have gathered, only Tarkin and a handful of others know that your body was stolen, and they chose to keep a lid on it. Likely to prevent another public outrage. So, officially, you went hastily through an undignified cremation. And the matter has been closed off, once and for all.”

Ahsoka couldn’t believe it. And she failed to contain her burning fire from withing, and in her fit of rage, she screeched as she slammed her claws into a nearby tree. The thick trunk was completely blown apart in splinters, and the entire tree fell over, slamming into the jungle behind.

‘Changed mentally, indeed,’ the Queen noted to herself, ‘She’s developed a temper, that one. This might take a while to work out.’

She walked over to the enraged teenager, who was shaking with anger, breathing heavily as she supported herself towards another nearby tree.

“Calm yourself, Ahsoka,” the Queen gently spoke, “There will be time for rage, later. But not now.”

“Calm myself?!?” the infested togruta shouted back at her.

“That sleemo! Tarkin! HE PUT ME THROUGH THIS!! AND HE HAS THE AUDACITY TO LIE AND… AND… AND…”

‘Calm yourself’ she felt the Queen presence echoed through her being, although gently.

Ahsoka took a deep breath. Tried her best, although part of her rage would not leave her.

“To think that I even saved that sleemo…” she growled.

“Yes, that bastard…” the Queen said along, “It’s one of life’s ugly ironies, when you save one who later turns against you, some point down that road.”

“And Anakin… Anakin and Padmé…” Ahsoka asked, breathing shakily.

“They really don’t know?”

Though it was more of a statement now, than a question.

“No, they don’t” the Queen shook her head.

“No one knows you’re alive, Ahsoka. Not even Tarkin and his accomplices. They know only that your body was stolen, but they don’t expect you to have survived. No one does. So, no one knows.”

The togruta swallowed, taking in the answers.

“As all this was happening, Skywalker despaired somewhere down there in the Coruscanti underworld, where he desperately searched for clues. Amidala, she… well… she locked herself into her apartment, and wept for you, all day long.”

‘Oh Anakin… Padmé…’ Ahsoka felt her heart break. The agony they must be going through.

“Those two…” the Queen took notice.

“You think differently of them, don’t you?”

“They stood by me,” Ahsoka growled, turning towards the Queen, beginning to step sideways, sizing her up.

‘The predator, preparing to pounce’ the Queen noted.

“I won’t do it,” she said.

“Do what, exactly?” the Queen raised an eye brow.

‘Something is stirring her up, despite her pain… The memory of those two.’

“I won’t be your pawn. I will not let the hive mind brainwash me. I will not slaughter millions of innocent people!”

“Yes, about that…” the Queen said, “Ahsoka, please believe me when I tell you: We knew nothing of your visions. Imagine our surprise, when we accessed your memories. Even I was baffled.”

“However,” she frowned, “I’m not one for believing in mad prophecies, so I suggest you postpone your judgment. Fate is not written in stone.”

‘Served you well, your foresight has, in the past,’ Ahsoka heard Yoda’s voice from her memories.

A memory that caused both pain, but also warned her, she thought.

“Besides,” the Queen said, “How innocent are those people, really?”

“Proud. Superstitious. Frank. Lethal.”

“You cannot escape your destiny,” the Queen’s own voice rang from her memories.

“Maybe not for the Republic,” Ahsoka said, “but Anakin and Padmé would not have me handed over to become a monster!”

‘This is starting to get on my nerves,’ the Queen thought.

“You’re trying my patience,” she warned, “I understand your fear. And I understand your attachment to those two. They stood by you when no one else did, which I do respect. But this isn’t about them. And they are part of a much larger system. The same system that turned on you, and nearly killed you!”

Ahsoka frowned, and both were now stepping circles around one another. Nonetheless, she let the Queen continue.

“Do you have any understanding of how deep the corruption runs in the Republic? How wide-spread it has become in the Senate, even before the war? How much injustice and crime is embedded in the system, at the hands of the government?”

‘Now you sound like a separatist,’ Ahsoka thought.

A notion that the Queen simply decided to ignore.

“I’ll address the elephant in the room: Yes, you have witnessed the heinous crimes of the Separatists, with you own eyes. You have seen it first hand as they have kidnapped and enslaved innocent people. Entire populations. Usurping planets. Unleashing weapons of mass destruction, just for testing them on unsuspecting colonists. Actively targeting neutral worlds, because it was convenient for their cause. Or, should I say, for Dooku’s own whims and needs.”

“You have witnessed the Separatist Parliament, whose members desire true freedom from the oppression they have faced for decades, for some of them many. Freedom from the oppression by a corrupt Republic, one that has exploited them for wealth and resources, leaving them with crumbs.”

“Unfortunately, while their cause may be a noble one, Dooku and his military leaders are using them. They don’t know the vast extent of the crimes committed in their name, the truth is kept from them. You yourself have concluded this.”

Ahsoka had to give it to her, the Queen of Blades was spot on, regarding her own suspicious.

“And the Republic?”

“For a very long time, the core worlds have exploited the outer rim systems, which the Separatists now consist of. They have hoarded loads of wealth at their expense. Corruption, as I said, runs deep in the government.”

“Your own trial was rigged,” she continued, causing Ahsoka to stop dead in her tracks.

“Evidence was obstructed. The prosecution had access to more evidence that would have been to your benefit. Not enough to acquit you there and then, but it would have forced a wider investigation. And likely, prevent the death penalty.”

‘No…’ Ahsoka thought.

“And as for what happened to you at court, who is to say that it was a single incident, and not a symptom of a larger problem? Already now as we speak, others have faced injustice at court, at the hands of Tarkin and others like him.”

At which Ahsoka widened her eyes in shock.

“Not as severe as a temple bombing or full death penalty, mind you, but still obstruction of their own justice system. Whenever it benefits the government, or the military.”

“And in the midst of all this, your Jedi Order does nothing but stand by and watch. They’re watching as the corruption slowly kills the Republic, when they should have acted. Or at least, they should have severed their ties to the Senate.”

Ahsoka stood there in silence, not sure what to believe.

“Can you prove all this?” she asked.

“It is all within the hive mind. All the knowledge is there.”

“Ahsoka, know this: We have been here for centuries. Ever since we learned of the Republic, we have done all we can to hold any advantages against them, should there ever be war between us. Their territories are larger than ours, and it gives them great capacity to build a large army. Possibly larger than ours. We have spied on them, even from the inside. We know more about them than they know about themselves.”

A realization hit Ahsoka as she listened to the Queen’s explanation.

“Your knowledge is limited. And it is so, by my design.”

“You hid the Zerg in plain sight! You kept a limited number at your borders, to make us underestimate you. And you hid strains we’ve never seen before. Powerful strains!”

Such as the gargantuan quadrupedals with the huge scythe arms. That armored turtle-creature she saw. The great titan in the skies, from her vision.

“Very good, Ahsoka. Yes, I’m hiding our forces. And the Republic assumes us to be a lesser feral race with minor intellect. Should a war happen, we will need every means at disposal. That includes the element of surprise.”

“But why don’t you talk with them instead?” Ahsoka tried to reason with her, all of a sudden, “Show that you are much more sentient than they know, and they will surely respond in kind!”

The Queen merely raised her eye brow, looking at Ahsoka as if she had grown an extra head.

“Would you have talked with them now, with all that has happened?”

“Oh… Right… No,” the togruta trailed off.

“Learn from the hive mind,” the Queen sighed, “Then you’ll understand why.”

“No, I still won’t!” Ahsoka growled, taking a step back, intending defiance.

‘Enough. Time to end this,’ the Queen made her decision.

“You would defend those who cast you out?” she challenged her, “The Council didn’t trust you. They sold you out to Tarkin. Shouldn’t they have stood by you?”

“Shut up,” Ahsoka growled.

“Tell me, why would you defend a government whom you fought so hard for, only to be killed off like a common criminal? I’ve seen your memories, I know you’re innocent.”

“SHUT UP!” she roared, and struck at the Queen.

In spite of the swift attack, the Queen intercepted her clawed hand with her own, and held Ahsoka’s hand in a tight grip, by the joint.

“Sloppy,” she muttered, “We’ll have to work on your new abilities, if you are to survive out there.”

“Let… go…!” Ahsoka growled.

“Tell me, Ahsoka,” the Queen stared intensely at her,“What truly makes a monster? Our race? How we look? How we act? That we’re comprised of lethal beasts?”

Ahsoka jerked as she tried to pull her hand away from the Queen’s grip.

“Tell me, given everything that has happened to you, so far… Who are the real monsters?”

“Let… go!” the togruta repeated.

“Now you listen to me,” the Queen answered with a growl of her own, as she pulled Ahsoka closer to herself, her mouth close to her montreals.

“I’m currently shielding you from the hive mind. I’ve allowed you this reprieve, because of what you have been through, and for the brokenness you carry. You need time to adjust. But you are Zerg now, you are part of the Swarm. You belong with us. Connecting through the hive mind is as natural to us as breathing. Sooner or later, you will have to let go, and be one with us. The entire Swarm is longing for it, and they will try, one by one. You can close yourself off, and force them out of your mind, but doing so will inevitably exhaust you.”

She tossed the Togruta aside.

“Also, pray to whatever gods you believe in that I won’t have to fight that silly war with the Republic, that you dreamt of,” she finished, and turned to leave.

But the Queen of Blades didn’t reach further than the surrounding tree lines, with her bone-wings facing back towards Ahsoka.

‘It’s not that I don’t symphatize,’ she felt the Queen presence speak through her.

‘I’ve seen the rise and fall of tyrannies, often disguised as noble causes. Hell, I fought in one myself… and it cost me most dearly.’

Ahsoka felt… sadness from her?

“Also,” the Queen spoke quietly, turning slightly towards Ahsoka again.

“There is one more thing… and you will not like it.”

“What is it?” Ahsoka asked, feeling uneasy by those words.

She could sense that whatever the Queen was about to share…

“Skywalker found the perpetrator.”

‘He did?!’ Ahsoka widened her eyes.

“He searched all he could for the answers, even after the verdict was given, hoping he would find the truth in the nick of time. Unfortunately, Tarkin had your execution expedited, without him knowing, so he didn’t even get the opportunity to come back and say his final goodbyes.”

Ahsoka growled more as her anger sprang forth.

‘Tarkin… I swear, you will pay for this!’

Then her thoughts went to her master, with sadness.

‘Anakin…’

“Even so, he continued, dead set on clearing your name. He found the culprit two days later.”

“Ventress, you mean?” Ahsoka muttered bitterly, “What did they do to her?”

“……Ventress?” the Queen questioned.

“Yes… You were with her, for a brief time. But it was not Ventress who set you up. Or attacked you in that warehouse.”

“What?” Ahsoka almost gasped, “Then who was it?”

The answer dragged out, as the Queen seemed hesitant.

“Who was it?” the togruta demanded.

“Barriss Offee,” the Queen answered.

“……….Barriss?!” Ahsoka gasped, feeling yet another cold wave wash over her.

“But…… But- Why? How? No!? She wouldn’t do it!”

“No, no, no, this can’t be right, this can’t be right…” she stumbled back on her legs, and fell over.

The Queen sighed, and moved back over to the denying togruta, kneeling down in front her.

“Ahsoka, please let me in to your mind, and I will show you.”

At which the teenager allowed, with a nod.

The Queen put a hand onto her forehead, and her purple eyes glowed more brightly. For Ahsoka it was like watching a video transmission play out in front of her.

“I did it,” she saw Barriss Offee give her confession.

“Because I've come to realize what many of people in the Republic have come to realize. That the Jedi are the ones responsible for this war.”

‘No… No…’

“That we've so lost our way, that we have become villains in this conflict.”

‘Why?…’

“That we are the ones that should be put on trial, all of us!”

‘Why?!’

Barriss appeared confident as she kept speaking.

“And my attack on the temple was an attack on what the Jedi have become. An army fighting for the dark side.”

‘You were my friend!…’

“Fallen from the light that we once held so dear. This republic is failing! It's only a matter of time.”

‘You betrayed me!...’

The imagery was gone, as the Queen slowly backed away from Ahsoka, sitting there all too shocked to say anything, with a fresh set of tears now streaming down her face.

“I’m sorry, Ahsoka,” the Queen spoke gently, “Take the time you need. Let it sink in, and process it. Stay here the rest of the night if you need to.”

‘You’ll know where to find the rest of us,’ she added in an afterthought, before turning and calmly walking away.

As the reality of it all slowly set in, Ahsoka let out another sob.

Betrayed… pretty much murdered… falsely accused… falsely convicted… cast out…

Betrayed… Barriss has betrayed her. She was the real traitor, and Ahsoka paid for it.

Everything was a lie…

She was her friend…

She was her friend…

She was her friend! And she-!!...

“Why?…” she wept.

“Why?………… Why?………… Why?………… Why?…………”

“Barriss, how could you!?………”

Primary Hive Cluster
A while later

‘We are the Swarm.’

The Queen of Blades looked all around her, as the mass of Zerg gathered around their beloved matriarch, at the Primary Hive Cluster. The various creatures hissed and roared, as they were connected with their glorious Queen, feeling her presence radiate brightly through their sacred bond. And the Queen stretched out her own senses. Her awareness expanded, joined with the hive mind, feeling the broods all around her, sensing their presence, seeing what they saw. Sharing all the senses, thoughts, instincts. Feelings. Purple light radiated brightly from her eyes.

Not only the Zerg present at the Hive Cluster, but far beyond. The flyers, ruling the skies above. Packs upon packs of Zerg, roaming throughout the lands far beyond. The hive clusters, spread around this world of Genesis Prime.

Her leviathans, in orbit above the planet, containing numerous upon numerous of Zerg, dwelling inside them.

The broodmothers. Both the one present, and the rest spread throughout their space. Each one close and one with her. Guiding the broods in her name.

Alleria. Kestra. Nar’hil. Centura. Evalion. Ilmaril, Farosh.

The oldest of them all… Abathur.

Sayeed. Valerie. Cytheria. All the agents.

Life upon life. Beings upon beings. All linked together.

‘We are the Swarm.’

‘We are strong. We are relentless. We are numerous. We flourish. We endure.’

She gazed back towards the distant jungle, where she previously had come from.

‘Now you must endure as well, Ahsoka.’

Their recent conversation had gone pretty much as expected. The teenager would need to understand what had happened, but being involuntarily infested and joined with the Swarm was bound to frighten her to the core, and cause deep resentment. The prospect itself terrified most people who knew somewhat about the Zerg.

‘The infestation alone would be manageable, given that we left her will mostly intact. If it only hadn’t been for those blasted visions…’

‘And what they did to her, was monstrous. She will carry her trauma for a long time.’

With her hand clutched into a fist, feeling the urge to strike something, she took a deep breath, to remain steady.

‘Patience is the key. I haven’t lived for over a half millennium to remain clueless.’

‘She will need time… Long time.’

‘And then there is the complication… the Force.’

‘My own powers alone are more than a match for her. But through her, we now have access to the Force. The Light side… and the Dark side… And in her condition now…’

‘I hope this is not a huge mistake.’

A look of determination came across her face.

‘We are the Swarm. We prevail. She will prevail.’

‘You clung onto life, Ahsoka. Now you must prevail. Endure! Evolve!’

Chapter Text

Days later

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

Genesis Prime
Primary Hive Cluster

“No!” she gasped for breath, and found herself inside the greenish sleeping pod, back in the hive.

Ahsoka gritted her teeth, and forced her arm through, to clear an opening and get out of this… this kriffing sack!

After slashing an opening in that pod, and escaping quickly, the infested togruta staggered over to the wall, trying to catch her shaky breath.

She clutched onto her stomach for dear life, driven by the need to protect it. Although a gaze downwards reminded her once again that there was no purple lightsaber sticking out of her belly. Not any longer, at any rate. Only thick carapace covering it.

‘Why…’ she gritted her teeth, trying to reel in the emotional turmoil inside, with great difficulty.

‘Kriff it… Curse you, Tarkin… Curse you, Windu… Curse you all!’

Ahsoka began to move ahead, slowly, doing her best to stay balanced, as her world still threatened to tip up-side down.

Moving through the organic door to leave the chamber… her chamber, apparently, though she didn’t want any of it… she was met by a zergling that had waited for her. It squealed in delight at seeing her, and was about to nuzzle at her, when Ahsoka felt its presence enter her mind.

“No!” she growled at the creature, causing it to back up in confusion.

“Get-… out!” she snarled at it, while clutching her own head, raising her mental defenses while forcing it out. Ahsoka sneered more at the creature, causing it to turn and run.

The Zerg… they kept entering her head… no, she wouldn’t let them! She would not let them win! They would not turn her into their monster! She would not become their pawn! She would fight it, with all she had. As long as she had to. As long as she still had her breath… And then, hopefully die in the process.

It felt like a long walk. First of many long walks. Her entire life would be long walks, with the constant mental agony! Eventually, Ahsoka found herself out in open air. It was a chill breeze passing over the Hive Cluster, with clear skies above, teal-blue skies.

Not much time to take it in, as they all surrounded her again, and wanted in to her shielded mind. Looking around, she saw them all. Zerglings, hydralisks. Drones passing by now and then.

The turtle creatures, which she now knew were the roaches. The former zerglings, now being creatures with huge bulging green sacks of acid, walking upon four silts-legs, called banelings.

One of the gargantuan creatures… The Ultralisk. The powerful beasts that would charge their enemies with massive force on the battlefield, clearing the way for the smaller beings.

“Leave me… alone!…” Ahsoka growled, before forcing herself through the beastly crowd.

The Queen of Blades stood tall on a hilltop, gazing across the hive cluster, throughout the landscape, and took note of the transcendent harmony that flowed through local hive cluster. Stretching out her senses, feeling the connection of the hive, the unbreakable bond between herself and her minions. All as it should be… except for one person…

*Thud* *Thud* *Thud* she heard from behind, and looked over her shoulder to see her closest advisor approaching her.

“Alleria,” she nodded, greeting the broodmother as she stopped in front of her Queen.

“My Queen,” the large creature bowed, before placing herself beside her superior.

A moment of silence went by, as they beheld the Hive, and looked over the broods ahead of them.

“I sense your concern,” the Queen spoke.

“It is the young lady, Ahsoka Tano,” Alleria replied.

“Yes…” the Queen muttered, casting a glance beyond the hive cluster, towards where she sensed Ahsoka were heading.

“She remains closed off to us,” the broodmother spoke, “She forces us out, and refuses to be one with the Swarm. I find this… highly perplexing.”

“Being assimilated into the Swarm was not something she volunteered for,” the Queen spoke, “I hid the truth from her…”

“But it was the only way to save her life, was it not?” the broodmother pointed out.

“The only way we had,” the Queen agreed.

‘The only one without blowing my cover’

“What’s done is done,” she sighed, “Ahsoka will have to come to terms with it, and learn to live with us. Shielding herself from us will wear her down.”

“Perhaps if her mind was molded, she would be more recept-”

“No!” the Queen glared harshly at the broodmother, “There will be no molding of Ahsoka’s mind!”

“Forgive me, I meant no offense,” the broodmother backed off, bowing her large head in submission.

“I was simply implying that it would make her integration with the Swarm easier, for her and for us.”

“It’s not an option,” the Queen stated, giving the broodmother a warning look.

“I won’t stop the broods from reaching out to her, but there will not be any altering of her mind. Besides, the changes to her body and brain are alterations enough.”

“By your will,” the broodmother bowed.

At which the Queen of Blades resumed her calm gaze, and looked over the hive cluster.

“She needs time,” she added, “She has just survived hell, and needs to come to terms with it. I hope she will accept becoming Zerg. The betrayal, however, that’s a different story. Not only by a close friend, but by what was essentially her people.”

“A betrayal most vile! The Swarm would never do such a thing to one of their own!” the broodmother growled in disgust.

“Alleria, most of our strains are bred to give their life for the Zerg. They are made to sacrifice themselves if necessary.”

“And they will do so, gladly.”

“And that doesn’t strike you as... as betrayal? That we easily give up our own to defend ourselves?”

“I do not understand. Are they not made to do so, gladly?”

“Maybe… but it requires necessity. We do not sacrifice our own needlessly. Ahsoka on the other hand… She paid the price due to corruption, and inaction.”

Another moment of silence.

“Do you think it will be war between us and the Republic?” the broodmother asked the Queen, in wonder.

“I don’t know,” the matriarch shook her head slightly.

“But what about the visions? The ones she saw?”

“You know I don’t believe in mad prophecies,” the Queen retorded.

“Her former visions came to pass,” Alleria pointed out, “Such as the one with the Senator Amidala from Naboo, where she was to be murd-”

“Alleria, enough,” the Queen ordered, “And while you’re at it, she prevented that vision from happening.”

Sighing, the Queen continued, looking up to the skies.

“I don’t like it… Anything can happen at this point. Their war dragging out, becoming increasingly brutal, and it has spilled over to our territories multiple times already. Sooner or later, they may start looking towards our space, for resources and strategic advantages.”

“If it happens, then we shall surely be ready, and strike back,” the broodmother replied firmly.

The Queen of Blades smiled, as she sensed the complete faith Alleria had in the Swarm. Perhaps her own concerns were a little out of proportions?

“But I must wonder,” the broodmother added, “that if they continue… perhaps they will simply tear each other apart?”

“Perhaps…” the Queen agreed.

“Perhaps… But I’m worried about what comes after, should it happen.”

‘I’ve seen it too many times.’

Inside the jungle

Ahsoka sat by a tree. The wildlife was chirping all around her. A place which the Swarm strangely hadn’t consumed… yet… for being this close to the Primary Hive Cluster. The one that housed the Queen’s own palace. Where she had her throne. The Queen of Blades did have a throne of some sorts, right?

And as she sat there at the tree, with her arms wrapping around her leg, she slightly shook back and forth, trying to hold off the Zerg from her mind, while holding her pained emotions at bay.

‘Why has this happened?…’

‘Why me?…’

She took a deep breath.

‘Why did I say yes?…’

‘Why couldn’t I just face death bravely, like I should have?’

Bitterness

‘How could I be such a coward?…’

Regret

‘How could they do this to me!’

Anger

‘How could they! I trusted them!’

Days pass slowly by…
Nighttime

She didn’t want to go back to her chambers, into that kriffing pod. She didn’t want to sleep. She didn’t want to be consumed by the Zerg. She didn’t want to be consumed by her own nightmares.

She didn’t want to be bothered by the pain that was hurting her so much inside.

She just lied there by a tree, near the hive cluster, staring up to the night sky.

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘Burning bright… bliss… living… free… no pain… no awareness…’

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

Mumbling incoherently to herself…

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

………

Numb……

Days pass slowly by…
Daytime

“Young lady Tano,” she heard a voice call out to her, and she turned to see the big hunking creature coming to her. It was similar to the swarm queen she had seen on file at the Jedi Archives, but larger, more intricate details to her body and head “crown”, and far more intelligent. Like herself.

The broodmother.

“Alleria, wasn’t it?” she asked, remembering as the Queen had introduced her to her consort, responsible for the brood in this sector.

Yes, the broodmothers. The subordinate rulers, all answering to the Queen of Blades herself.

“Indeed. You think of entering the jungle again?”

“What is it to you?” Ahsoka replied, distrusting the creature.

“You should be made aware. Be alert of the wildlife. The revyosaur hunts on those grounds.”

Ahsoka frowned at the broodmother.

“So they are not under your control. Why?”

“Genesis Prime may be our home, but there are pockets of wild life, allowed free roam of their lands. The Queen of Blades desires it so,” Alleria explained.

“Part of it is sentimentality. I admit that I do not fully understand such notions, but I respect the Queen’s wishes.”

“And the other parts?”

“The Queen thinks these creature may one day evolve, and gain abilities worthy of the Swarm.”

“Of course she does,” Ahsoka rolled her eyes, before walking ahead.

“Consider me warned,” she called back to the broodmother, who merely stared at the infested togruta, slowly disappearing towards the distant tree lines.

As she was nearing the entry to the valley jungles, she heard the running steps approaching form behind, and turned to see two particular zerglings catching up to her, squealing in delight at her.

A delight the togruta did not share. Instead she got increasingly angry at seeing them. Why were they following her all around?!

“Leave… me… ALONE!” she snarled at them, causing them to step back in confusion, and lay down, passively.

‘Fine, just lie there for all I care.’

Moving on, Ahsoka held on to her forehead with one of her hands, fighting against her growing headache and increasing tiredness, as she forced out the… dozens?… of minds constantly trying to enter hers. Not just the two zerglings, but various amount of creatures from the Swarm reaching out to her.

‘I will not be your pawn…’

There was no point in running, as the Zerg was forever present on Genesis Prime. And they would always and forever try to break into her mind, even if she had some physical distance between then. No, the walks to the jungle was simply because she didn’t want to see them, and be reminded of her entrapment. Or her transformation. The teenager just wanted to get as much away as possible, even if by tiny proportions.

So, Ahsoka just kept walking aimlessly into the jungle. And paying no heed to the passing of time, as she kept walking and walking, she eventually found herself at a certain pond.

Yes, this pond… she had been here before. Yes… that first evening. Night. Where she and the Queen of Blades spoke for the first time. How funny, that she found herself here again, of all places inside this dense jungle.

‘Doesn’t matter…’ the girl thought bitterly, as she sat down by the pond and hugged her knees.

‘I should have been dead… Not like this…’

Grasping onto the ground with her claws, she noted once again the lack of creep. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen it for quite some distance now. Preserved wildlife, just as the broodmother said.

‘What sentimentality would a Queen of the Zerg even have?’

At least, maybe here… maybe she could be something of her own… A place of her own?

‘Oh, who am I kidding… I can still feel them trying to enter my head…’

‘Should have been dead… Not like this…’

‘No… not dead… I should have been free… I should have been protected…’

‘I should have been beside Anakin… I should have been protected by the Jedi…’

She looked bitterly at her claws again.

‘They abandoned me…’

Gritting her teeth, she leaned backwards, and laid onto her back, staring up to the bright sky. Some sort of teal blue color.

‘Brown in the evening, wasn’t it?’ she recalled.

‘Genesis Prime… probably not the finest skies… but at least full of life… some free wild life… most Zerg life though…’

‘If only I hadn’t been selected for that investigation… If only I hadn’t been on Cato Nemoidia… Kriff… If only Plo hadn’t found me on Shili…’

‘I could have lived a good life on Shili… and not end up like this…’

‘My own people wouldn’t have left me to die……’

‘…would they?

“Kriff it!” she hammered her fist onto the ground, causing some dust to be thrown into the air by the impact.

“Why…” she whispered.

She kept staring up into the sky, whishing dearly how different things could be…

‘I was a Jedi!… I gave my life to help people, not to take the fall for…for…’

‘Curse you, Barriss!’ she growled.

Taking a deep breath, wishing herself away from this… keeping the Zerg out of her head… keeping the invaders at bay… while allowing herself to sink into the environment… Try to get her mind onto something else than just the Zerg…

The smell from the jungle reaching her nose, the buzzing sound of wildlife. Insects. Croaking sounds of amphibian-like creatures. The calls of the bird creatures. The occasional sneer of predators. The squeaks of other animals. Prey?

She picked up the growling of a few zerglings too, far off in the distance. A pack out on hunt?

Taking a deep inhale of her nose, Ahsoka could smell the animals in the distance, their scent traveling with the air currents.

From what she knew, all her senses were enhanced by the infestation. Stronger smelling sense, greater hearing. Precise, detailed. Honed.

Togrutas were natural carnivores and hunters. Social creatures too, loving to spend time with friends and family. Why couldn’t she remain normal, like the rest of her people… Or like anyone else?

But no, the Council had to expel her, and execute her, for something-

‘Not helping!’ she chimed herself, trying to shift her focus back again.

Another inhale with her nose.

‘Wait… Something smells different…’

She felt the subtle pulses through the ground.

‘Something… is approaching…‘

Her enhanced hearing picking up the silent treading on the grounds nearby, which was closing in on her. She should probably have gotten up. Keep her distance. Chase it away? And yet, the togruta remained lying on the ground. Focusing on the pulses. The smell. The quiet sounds, approaching.

Remembering Alleria’s brief words… “Hunting grounds…”

Slight rustling in the bushes. Probably the death of most preys at this point. Ahsoka slowly stood up, and looked towards the bushes, seeing the eyes of the creature sizing her up.

Bright yellow eyes, as the long, ellipse-shaped snout of the cyan-colored creature peeked out of the bushes. It let out a raspy growl, barring its sharp teeth at her.

‘So that’s the revyosaur?’ Ahsoka thought, as more of the creature slowly walked out of the bushes, still growling at her. Having the height of a hydralisk, the creature supported its massive wide shoulders onto its thick arms, they themselves having needle sharp claws. [1]

Ahsoka merely stood still, staring blankly at the hulking predator in front of her. The creature roared and lunged at her, and hit her with its thick arm, sending her flying through the bushes, and tumbling around for Force knows how long. She lied still, still breathing. The sharp pain radiated from her abdomen, which had taken the worst brunt of the beast’s assault.

All the bird creatures in the trees above fled away, with the nearest jungle growing silent.

The togruta heard the beast moving towards her, and slowly worked herself up as the breathing of the revyosaur came close. She looked at the beast once again, as it continued its growling, before attacking again.

Another strike sent her tumbling through the jungle. She lied there, breathing heavily in the complete silence.

‘How could you…’

The beast slowly approached her, and Ahsoka forced herself up again, standing tall against the creature. Another powerful attack sent her flying once again.

‘Death…’ she pondered, laying there among the bushes.

‘Is death painful? Is there peace and meaning in death?’

‘What is my life worth?…’

She slowly sat up, supporting herself on her arms. Her entire body was now aching in pain, and as she held herself onto her seriously hurting stomach, she noticed her arm fully covered in blood. Her blood. Gazing down, she spotted several open rips across her entire body, with her blood pouring out.

‘Death?...’

The revyosaur slowly approached her, once again, taking a deep sniff, savoring its moment. The final moment before finishing her off. Ahsoka slowly closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

‘Death… for something I didn’t do…’

‘…………………’

“I’m not going to take the fall for something I didn’t do!” her memory called to her. Her last defiant words to Anakin, before she dropped down into the lower levels of Coruscant.

‘…not… going to take the fall… for something I didn’t do…’

“I’m not…” she whispered, “going to take the fall…”

With a screech, she quickly plunged her arm straight through the upper body of the revyosaur. It screamed in pain, and trashed around, trying to hit its supposed prey. Ahsoka used her free hand to deflect its opposite arm.

“I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THE FALL FOR SOMETHING I DIDN’T DO!!!” she screamed at the beast, and tore up its inside organs with her impaling arm.

The beast screamed in agony, and tried desperately to tear itself loose, but Ahsoka wouldn’t let go, herself screeching at it in a frenzy. She finally pulled her arm out, and the creature fell over, breathing desperately to stay alive. Ahsoka stood above it, and let out a deep growl, before she struck its head with her own claws, ending its life.

Sneering at it, she put both her hands beneath it, and proceeded to lift the entire beast above herself, before roaring out, and tossing it several meters away into the bushes.

Taking a deep breath, she let out a frenzied roar, sounding through the entire jungle. Her blood boiled in her veins, and she pounced at a tree and struck it with her claws, screaming. The thick tree was splintered at its base, and fell over. Ahsoka pounced upon the next tree she saw, and did the same. Then another. Then another. Roaring and screaming at everything she saw and attacked, ravaging through the jungle, causing the local wildlife to flee.

She soon heard a growl at her side, and saw another revyosaur that had been attracted by her feral roars. It charged at her with its own roar, intending to take down its new-found prey. In her complete frenzy, Ahsoka took a deep breath, and let out a powerful roar at the predator, causing it to pause for a moment, before she pounced at it. The berserk Zerg togruta dodged the swipe from the revyosaur, before slashing wildly at it with her own claws, tearing it apart in matter of seconds.

A third revyosaur came running, but stopped when it saw its kin being torn to pieces, with its killer standing atop on the remains. With the hunched back turned towards it, the killer slowly turned to look at it with a wild gaze of its own, letting out continuous growls at it. The wild animal backed away, snarling back at the killer. Conceding to this creature’s might, it turned and ran away, before the killer decided to pursue.

Ahsoka paid it no further heed, as she took another deep breath, leaned back with arms spread, and let out the loudest roar of her entire life. Pushing all her anger, all her pain and suffering, pushing all her feelings into it, as she kept roaring and screaming. The sound of her agony traveled through the jungle and the entire valley. The Zerg at the primary hive cluster heard it, and it went further beyond.

After a minute of her pained roaring, she let up and gasped for breath. She was nowhere done, however, as she stared at another tree with a wild gaze, before pouncing upon it and tearing the trunk to pieces, before continuing her rampage onto others.

“YODA!!!” she screamed, having felled another tree.

“WINDU!!!” she slashed with all her might at a boulder, causing it to shatter

“SHAAK TI!” she roared, and continued to destroy anything in front of her.

“OBI-WAN!!” she screeched up in the air.

“MUNDI!” she let out a roar as she tore apart yet another tree.

“BARRISS!” she screamed all her lungs out.

“I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THE FALL FOR SOMETHING I DIDN’T DO!” she roared out for all existence in the galaxy to hear, and beyond.

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!” the togruta continues roaring out, with all the power she had.

Ahsoka took a deep breath, and found herself panting heavily, and leaned to a tree for support.

“Why didn’t you believe me,” she sobbed, and fell to her knees, weeping.

“Why?… Why?… I was one of you… You were everything to me… You were my family…”

The minutes passed by, as the broken togruta cried her heart out, with waves of deep pain gushing through her, finding no end to it.

Eventually, she took a deep breath, trying to focus herself. She looked down at her body. The blood was still flowing from her open gashes spread throughout her abdomen and chest. At an alarming rate, actually. Her torso and her arms were soaked in her own running blood. That first revyosaur had really done a number on her.

Taking another deep breath, Ahsoka slowly got up on her feet, and slowly staggered through the jungle, leaving a trail of her blood as she moved on. Paying no heed to anything else but her need to move on. Just walk… find solace… somewhere… to quiet down…

‘It hurts…’ she moaned to herself, holding onto her wounds with her arms.

The girl was breathing heavily. Feeling her strength drained. Feeling so tired… Not knowing if it was because of her wounds and blood loss, or just that she was drained by it all. She didn’t know how long she had stepped through the jungle. Time had just moved on, while she felt too numbed by her inner pain to even care...

And still… somehow… the togruta found herself back at the pond, once again. Always back here, it seems. Well, her place now. She fell down on her knees at the pond’s edge, before falling over to her back, and stare up in the sky. Late afternoon?

‘Tired…’

She closed her eyes, and let the darkness take her. She was done.

“Ahsoka,” a voice called out to her, disturbing her slumber.

“Ahsoka, wake up.”

The togruta opened her eyes, to see the starlit night sky above her, the buzzing life of the jungle reaching her montreals. She glanced to her side, to see the Queen of Blades kneeling at her, meeting her eyes, before the matriarch continued to look over her body. Ahsoka herself took a glance at her torso, and saw that most of the rips were closed. Only a few tiny gashes remained, barely bleeding. All her wounds were replaced with tons of scars, spread across her chest and abdomen.

She dropped her head back onto the ground and let out a disappointed sigh.

“You need to eat,” the Queen simply said.

“I’m not…” Ahsoka was about to protest, when it hit her. She actually felt hungry. Ravenously hungry!

“You picked a place with no creep to sleep on,” the Queen explained, “The creep nourishes all Zerg. Without it, you need to get nourishment on your own. So, I suggest you eat.”

“Fine,” Ahsoka muttered, before getting up.

Force, she felt hungry!

‘I guess regenerating does that.’

The infested togruta took a deep inhale with her nose, to sniff out whether there were any suitable preys nearby. None near right now, so she decided upon her direction, and walked. The Queen of Blades looked after Ahsoka for a moment, before she turned, to return the hive cluster. Ahsoka would be fine, for the time being.

The togruta found the corpse of the first revyosaur, the one that that attacked her by the pond. Insects were buzzing around it, but no wildlife had consumed the body yet. She walked over, and plunged her hand through its hide, ripping meat from inside, and began to eat.

‘Hm…’

Raw meat, perhaps, and yet it had a descent taste.

‘Well, we Togruta are carnivores anyway. So, I guess one thing hasn’t changed. Yay me!…’

‘Zerg or not, I wonder if it still tastes better if I cook it? Must try that out someday…’

Force, how long has it been since she’s eaten something properly?

Ahsoka spent a long time, sitting by the carcass, and chewing on the meat while letting the peaceful buzzing of the jungle ring through her montreals. Eating slowly, by small pieces. She was in no rush. And if this one wasn’t enough, she could easily track down the remains of the other one she had torn apart when she went berserk. Either way, she wouldn’t starve.

Days pass slowly by…

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

Genesis Prime
Primary Hive Cluster
Ahsoka’s chambers

Ahsoka found herself on the floor, breathing for her dear life, while holding onto her stomach for protection, as she moments ago had been in front of a firing squad, with a Jedi impaling her from- Wait! Hold on!

She frantically looked around, and realized that she was in her own chambers, not in that Republic military base.

*HUFF!* *PUFF!* *HUFF!* *PUFF!*

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

Fighting hard to regain control of her breath, before it managed to launch her heart flying out of her chest.

“Kriff it…” she swore, “Kriff it all!”

She heard the two zerglings screech on the other side of the organic door, calling out to her in worry.

‘No, stay out! Stay out… Stay away…’

Raising her mental shields, trying to protect herself… With the strength she had left… Slowly dwindling… but still there…

Days pass slowly by…

She sat by a tree, near the hive, clutching hard onto her head.

‘So tired…’

It all throbbed so heavy. The never-ending intrusion of the Swarm, all trying to get inside her head. All the hard work to force everything back, and keep them outside. Closing up her mind. Putting up the wall. Defending her soul!

‘Just stop… please…’ she begged.

“It is not natural for a Zerg to close herself off, like you do,” she heard that echoed voice, as the Queen of Blades approached her.

“You’re tiring yourself out. You need to rest. Let us in, and help you.”

“No!” Ahsoka let out a feral growl, and got herself up.

“I won’t let your Swarm into my head. I won’t be part of this. I will not be made your pawn!”

Taking a deep breath, she continued.

“I will fight you, with all I have!” she declared.

The Queen raised her eye brows for a quick moment.

“Fight us with all you have?” she repeated the words, before replying with a smirk:

“Very well, I accept your challenge.”

‘Wait, what?’ Ahsoka thought, surprised.

“Fight me then, with all you have. Come at me, Zerg!” the Queen challenged her, and stood in a ready position with her arms and bone-wings spread.

“Don’t you… call… me that!” Ahsoka growled.

“It is what you are now. It is what you have become. It is our legacy, given to you.”

“I won’t have it!” Ahsoka roared, and lunged herself at the Queen.

She struck at her several times with her sharp claws, but the Queen of Blades swiftly and gracefully dodged the attacks. Then she grabbed Ahsoka’s wrist, pulled at her upper body and sent a powerful knee kick into her stomach, before sending her flying with a side-kick, landing hard on the ground. In spite of the protection of her Zerg armor, Ahsoka would later recall that, yes, she felt that one!

“Up! Again!” the Queen commanded.

The togruta let out a fierce snarl, as she got herself up. Staring at the matriarch in front of her, standing in her ready position. Ahsoka roared, and literally pounced at the Queen, slashing at her with her arms, while the Queen quickly stepped aside and let her pass by. Landing and quickly finding her grounding again, Ahsoka turned, only to see the Queen lunge at her, hitting her with a clawed swing of her arm, sending her over.

She was now bleeding, thanks to her new diagonal rips across her diaphragm, courtesy of the Queen. Ahsoka quickly rose up, and charged at the Queen, slashing at her, snarling and shrieking, as she let out all she could at the Zerg ruler. Her target however, changed between quick dodges, parrying with her spiked upper arms, bone-wings and even once with her knee.

“Unfocused,” she remarked.

The Queen of Blades then countered by a powerful punch in Ahsoka’s chest, quickly followed by a backhand smash to her head.

“Out of control.”

Before Ahsoka had time to react, a side kick hit her head, fast as lightning, sending her tumbling over the ground.

“All aggression. No planning ahead.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Ahsoka,” she spoke, as the growling togruta worked herself up from the ground.

“I enjoy a good relentless assault as any crazed infested. But don’t lose your head over it.”

Not paying any heed to her words, Ahsoka flung herself at the Queen again, and slashed with all the strength and speed she could muster.

“I will end this. I will kriffing end this!” she snarled.

“Then do it!” the Queen challenged her, blocking and dodging all her wild attacks.

Then the ruler countered again, with a series of strong jabs at her body, followed by a fist-grab, with several powerful kicks to her stomach, before launching her away with a final side-kick.

“Enough!” Ahsoka growled threatening, getting herself up from the ground again. She stretched out her arms sideways, delegating part of her almost non-existing focus to reach out to her own powers.

Several large rocks around her started to lift up from the ground all around her, while Ahsoka stared at the Queen with a feral look.

‘There it is,’ the Queen noted, before enacting her own move.

Quickly gathering her own hands, the Queen of Blades concentrated her powers, as purple light crackled around her arms, and she sent a powerful lightning-like energy blast at the surprised togruta, sending her flying, with all the rocks falling down.

Ahsoka groaned, as she had taken the brunt of that assault, before seeing the Queen leap far into the air, before smashing down at her. The impact knocked the air out of her, and she tried to struggle against the Queen’s grip, now holding her fast by her wrists, with her legs pinning down on her abdomen.

“Listen to me, and listen carefully,” the Queen of Blades spoke sternly to her.

Leaning down towards her montreals, she continued:

“You carry the Force. Through you, the Swarm is connected to it. It is a powerful gift, but you’re not ready to use it, the way you are now. I will not allow any corruption into the Swarm. So you will abstain, until I allow you otherwise.”

Ahsoka grit her teeth in anger, but conceded, as she ceased struggling against the Queens grip.

“Your lesson is at an end,” the Zerg ruler finished, as she let go of her hands, and stepped off the pummeled togruta.

“Your body will heal itself. Go and rest,” she finished, before turning to walk away.

Looking down onto her own body, the Queen clearly did a number on her, seeing the bleeding cuts from her. Nowhere as bad as that brawl with the revyosaur, but still…

No matter how much she despised it… she would prevail…

Time passes…
Ahsoka’s Pond
Nighttime

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

She lied on the ground, at the edge of her pond, staring up.

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

This pond… unspoiled by the Swarm. The very last vestiges of her sanity. Sooner or later, the Zerg would take it away…

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

Mumbling incoherently to herself…

Numbness…

Keeping the pain at bay… Trying…

Time passes…
At the plains near the Primary Hive Cluster
Base of mountain ridge.

“Again! Up!” the Queen of Blades commanded, as Ahsoka growled, and forced herself up again.

The brawl had barely began, and yet the Queen had landed a powerful strike at her, sending her tumbling over. Already bleeding, as claws had hit her arm already.

Ahsoka left out a feral snarl at her opposition.

“You are Zerg,” the Queen spoke.

Ahsoka pounced at her, but the matriarch dodged her easily.

“You are changed.”

Several hits where exchanged. The Queen dodged and parried perfectly, while Ahsoka had to endure more hits and cuts by her opponent.

“Your strength is enhanced by multitudes. Your body can take punishment beyond most species.”

They both pounced, and hit each other, tumbling over as they violently stroke at each other, before kicking themselves off to gain space between them.

“Your reflexes are far superior.”

Ahsoka growled at the Queen, promising her pain. The Queen hissed back at her, issuing her own challenge.

They traded blow after blow.

Ahsoka struggled to land any proper hits at her opponent, while her body was taking more and more. Yet she endured. She would not back down from the Queen of Blades. She would not lose! So they kept going. For a while, the Queen let Ahsoka attack, and saved her counter attacks until she saw fit to use them.

“The Zerg instinct is very strong in you,” the Queen continued, as they stared each other down, taking a pause.

“You are powerful, but far more aggressive. You must learn to control yourself.”

The enraged togruta pounced, and flew past the Queen, as she danced around and the let attacker miss.

“Learn to use your head, in conjunction with your strength and instinct, Ahsoka!” she called out to the heavy-breathing togruta.

“I know your species are natural predators, and I see that instinct multiplied by far in you.”

“Think, Ahsoka, think! Concentrate. Plan ahead!”

They landed another blow at each other, both of them gripping at each other, struggling.

“Control yourself, Ahsoka!”

The togruta seemed to be getting a leeway, as the Queen slowly backed off in their struggle.

Then her bone-wings suddenly struck, impaling right through Ahsoka’s lower stomach, sending the teenager kneeling over in excruciating pain, gasping for breath.

“I didn’t become Queen of the Zerg by being dominated by my instincts,” she spoke into her montreals, “I learned to control them! So must you! Control yourself! Think when you fight!”

Hive Palace
Healing pool chamber

Ahsoka soon found herself floating in a pool of green liquid. Her regeneration would take care of her body on its own, although this healing pool would speed up the process.

So she could be ready to fight again, sooner than later… Sadly…

‘Reflect on this. Learn to control yourself,’ she heard the Queen’s voice in her head.

“Get… out!” she growled, and clutched her head, refusing any Zerg mind to enter, even the Queen of Blades herself.

‘This is madness…’ Ahsoka thought to herself, ‘If this was the Jedi Temple, the student would have been killed!’

‘But this is not the Jedi Temple… this is the Zerg… the kriffing Zerg…’

‘It’s because I will endure, isn’t it?…’

Days pass slowly by…
Ahsoka’s Pond

Ahsoka sat by her pond, once again, clinging onto her knees, rocking back and forth, as she struggled to keep everything away.

The togruta wanted to be alone. She wanted to be at peace. And yet their faces haunted her.

The purple lightsaber sticking out of her stomach. The faces of the Council, as they practically condemned her to her death, followed by the Military Court.

Shaak Ti, demanding her confession. Mace Windu, along with Tarkin, killing her. Barriss, her friend, who killed innocent people, then put the blame on her.

Obi-Wan, Yoda, and others, who should have stood with her.

The pain.

The abandonment. The betrayal. The constant hurt, fear and hopelessness. Injustice. Nightmares. Searing burns. Impaling lightsabers.

The pain.

Ahsoka grit her teeth, as she couldn’t keep her inner turmoil in check, with her tears running down the knees.

Struggling to keep her monsters at bay. Those who slayed her… those who haunted her… and those who followed.

Stealing her dignity, the Zerg had continued what the others have started, and revived her into this monstrosity, and they kept invading her mind.

She wanted to be left alone, away from everything… away from everything… away…

No peace… only pain…

Time passes…

Another walkabout through the jungle, just to get away, again. Now too tired to fear. Too tired to flee. Too tired to panic. Caring less and less… tired…

The Zerg was winning, she felt it. Ahsoka couldn’t hold out much longer… Just thinking about it made her feel dizzy, it was so exhausting to… keep them… at…

A slight rustle beyond some nearby trees caught her attention, as she focused on the sound, taking a deep sniff.

‘Revyosaur,’ she realized, and began flexing her claws.

But the following roar came too early, it hadn’t run into her yet. Usually, they roared in sight of their prey. The responding screech explained why.

‘Hydralisk!’

Ahsoka dashed quickly to see what was happening, and she spotted the beast standing face to face with the Zerg, as they roared and screeched at each other.

The hydralisk quickly widened its upper back muscles, and launched a volley of spines at the predator. Several spines hit across its upper body, and the now enraged revyosaur roared madly at the Zerg, then pounced quickly and struck it with all its might.

Ahsoka winced as she witnessed the heavy blow hit the hydralisk, just beneath its left scytche arm, and tearing off a significant portion of the body within, before sending the hydralisk tumbling for many meters.

That had to hurt. A lot.

The revyosaur paid no heed to the infested togruta who just stood by the side and witnessed their fight, as it quickly limped towards its prey to finish it off. The hydralisk, itself critically wounded, had no intention of going down quietly, and it forced itself up and screeched, then launched another volley at the revyosaur at close range.

The predator had taken too many hits, and fell over, breathing heavily as it lied there. Then it tried to get up, before it was too late, while the hydralisk slowly moved and stood above it. The Zerg hissed, before lifting its right scytche arm, and it slashed at the upper body of the revyosaur, ending its life.

The Zerg then let out a groan, before tumbling over itself, breathing heavily.

The battle was over. The Zerg remained supreme. But at what cost?

She should have turned and left, but Ahsoka’s curiosity got the better of her. The togruta carefully walked over to the two beasts. One dead, while the other was bleeding precariously, and breathing heavily.

Ahsoka glanced over the body of the hydralisk. That revyosaur had landed a serious blow, with portions of its upper body missing, and so much blood gushing out. The hydralisk gazed up at Ahsoka, and let out a pained groan.

The infested togruta did nothing, but watched. She refused to help the beast, but she would not take its life either.

The hydralisk slowly began to move again, and with quick movements beneath its body, it started to bury. Which was astounding, given the serious wounds it got. Any other creature would die from such wounds, if not bleed out first. As it sank down into the ground, the hydralisk grabbed on to its dead prey, and pulled it over its hole.

Now Ahsoka only saw the carcass of the revyosaur half-buried, slightly moving around as its killer was nibbling its meat from below.

‘Will it die?’ Ahsoka wondered.

‘That blow would have killed anyone,’ she thought, before looking down onto her own torso.

The scars were gone, yet the realization dawned more and more upon her.

‘One hit! That revyosaur would have killed me instantly, on one hit, if I was my old self!’

Time flows…
Ahsoka’s Pond

Ahsoka gazed distraught upon her own reflection in the pond. Her bleak face… her marking still there, but with tinge of green… her green-glowing eyes… those few but profound black veins…

The ugliest montreals and lekkus in existence… covered by that carapace… with patterns like dry mud, but shrunk and dense.

She lifted her clawed hand, and touched her cheek as she stared at her reflection

‘I don’t want this… I don’t want this… I don’t want this…’

‘I want my colors back! I want my old lekkus back! I want my old montreals back! I want my blue eyes back!’

She sniffled, and wiped away her tears.

‘That girl down there is a monster!’

More time flows…
Jungles near the Hive Cluster

“Concentrate! Focus!” the Queen of Blades called out, as Ahsoka pounced at her, “Or do you need another round with my bone-wings?”

“Shut up!” Ahsoka growled, flexing her claws

Another fight. Another lesson with the Queen. This time, it was the jungle’s turn to be ravaged by their fight, as they dashed along the dense trees, and exchanged blow after blow.

“You’re improving,” the Queen noted, as she was forced to defend herself more quickly. Not to mention that the togruta was getting better at reading her moves.

“You’re getting used to your strength and reflexes, but remember what I said: Think! Plan ahead!”

Ahsoka came pouncing through the trees, crashing through them and leaving a trail of destruction behind her in the jungle as the Queen of Blades kept dodging her assaults.

The infested togruta had clearly found a knack for using all her muscle strength to pounce at her opponent, covering quite the range with incredibly high speed. Unfortunately for her, she was easy to read. A resourceful opponent could lay a trap and take her down, unless she started to use her brain more properly.

And as to demonstrate, the Queen readied her own stance, and landed a powerful blow at Ahsoka the next time she came flying through the bushes, using her own arm and bone-wing to strike Ahsoka at her shoulder, sending her tumbling over through the jungle.

The togruta quickly got up, and sneered at the Queen.

“I won’t be your pawn! I will escape whatever destiny you plan for!”

“You cannot escape your destiny,” that memory rang in her mind.

“Don’t believe in mad prophecies!” the Queen of Blades shouted back at her, while charging at her for another attack.

“How many times do I have to tell you?! I never said those things! Whatever you saw in your visions, I have no part in it! We didn’t know! The Swarm didn’t know! I didn’t know, about them! So stop accusing me, and stick to the facts!”

They kept trading viscous blows, using all their arsenals of limbs, and sharp claws. Ahsoka went all out on the Queen, while the matriarch herself kept back, not wanting to kill the togruta.

“I offered you a chance to live, and you took it. Again, the Swarm are not the ones who betrayed you!”

Ahsoka roared, and charged another flurry at the Queen of Blades.

“Fate is not written in stone!” the Queen roared, and struck at Ahsoka with her bone-wings.

This time, the togruta barely dodged the attack aimed at her lower abdomen, and leapt back to create some distance between them.

‘Good, she’s improving,’ the Queen noted.

“Use your head, next time! Plan your moves! Anticipate! Keep your aggression at bay! Unleash it only at the right moments!”

And they pounced at each other again, and continued their viscous fight.

Ahsoka’s Pond
Nighttime

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

At the pond, again…

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

She was losing…

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’

The Zerg was winning…

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

She was scared…

‘…no pain… no awareness…’

‘………so many will die…by my hand…’

‘………who are the monsters?…’

Daytime
Along the mountain ridge, near the Primary Hive Cluster

The Queen of Blades leapt high above Ahsoka, and attached herself to the mountain wall, with the help of her bone-wing and clawed hand.

“You think yourself capable of taking on me, up here?” she called down to the infested togruta, smirking at her.

‘Well, this just got interesting,’ Ahsoka thought to herself, before looking down at her own claws. Already now she had killed, several times with these. And her toe-claws… much shorter, curled… almost too perfect for…

She smirked back at the Queen above her, and made a leap. Yes, her muscles were much more powerful than before, and she made quite a distance, before slamming her fingers and feet upon the solid rock, and found herself attached to it. Yes, it worked!

Ahsoka looked up, to see the Zerg matriarch still above her. The Queen was looking back at her, ready for fight. She was obviously better at this. Far more experienced. Something Ahsoka would have to work on.

Ahsoka slammed another hand above her, then another. Same with her feet.

“You’re faster than that!” the Queen called to her, “Come at me!”

“Fine!” the togruta sneered, before leaping upwards, kicking away with her legs.

To Ahsoka’s surprise, it worked well at first try, she almost hit the Queen, who simply leapt side-ways along the rock wall, creating distance between them, while Ahsoka slammed her hands and feet into the wall to avoid falling down.

“Good try. Again!” the Queen commanded.

‘Okay, interesting is now becoming annoying,’ Ahsoka though dryly to herself, as she now had to work on both vertical and horizontal directions. She made another leap to chase the ever-evasive target.

Days pass…

Primary Hive Cluster
At the hive pool

Late evening

Ahsoka had found herself near the wide pool within the primary hive cluster. The one where she was reborn, into this… freak…

The togruta felt too numb… numb to walk… numb to think… numb to even care where she was… numb to try “hiding” from the Swarm anymore, on the planet that was pretty much their home. No matter what solace she tried to find out there, they were constantly coming in to her mind, while she constantly chased them out…… and she was just so tired… so very tired…

So empty…

Her recent lack of sleep didn’t help much either, trying to stay away from the nightmares and deny the Swarm any chance at entering her mind while asleep. Perhaps insanity was her fate. Then she could let go of her soul with glee.

So here Ahsoka was, sitting by a rock, holding onto her legs, her head resting onto the knees.

Oh, how she wished things were different…

Something nudged at her leg. Again. Looking up, she the same persistent zergling that had been following her around, usually along with its other sibling.

“Leave me alone,” she muttered, glaring as best as she could. Oh, how little strength she felt having left. This was probably her last night as Ahsoka Tano. Tomorrow, she would probably become Ahsoka the monster.

Nevertheless, the togruta did manage something… since the zergling did walk away a few meters, and lie down on the ground. Probably the best result she could hope for now.

‘Monsters…’ she thought.

‘Who are the real monsters, anyway…’

The togruta sighed deeply, before resting her head onto her knees again. Nothing but emptiness. Too empty to cry. Too empty to care. Too empty… for anything…

……………………

……………………

A gentle cold tingle…

‘Hmm…?’

……………………

Another cold tingle, on her back hand. Ahsoka lifted her head and looked at it. Nothing. Then another tingle, at her knee. Then at her carapace-covered forearm. She watched as one fell down and hit her. Then another.

‘Rain’, Ahsoka realized, looking up into the brown cloudy skies above.

‘Rain… don’t think I have sat under that weather, yet…’

A few drops hit her face.

‘I guess… Genesis Prime has its seasons, or something?’

More drops. Feeling cold…

Feeling…

……………

Refreshing…

She looked at her armored forearm.

‘I can… feel it… Despite the carapace, I can…’

It was a strange sensation, to say the least.

‘Funny… Feeling rain…’

She took a deep breath, inhaling the cold humid air, as the rain steadily increased, and fell gently down upon her and all around them.

‘It feels… good…’

‘Water… symbol of life… among my people, the Togruta… among many…’

‘Life…’ she mused.

‘I should have been dead… should have been… dead… dead don’t feel water… don’t feel life… I shouldn’t have felt this… rain…’

‘Life… death…’

‘I didn’t die…’

‘………………………………’

‘Should have… but I didn’t…’

“I’m…… alive…” she whispered, letting the water run down by her face.

“Alive…… Alive……” she muttered, as if tasting the words for the first time in her life.

‘What is life? What am I?’

‘I should be dead… gone… maybe forever…’

‘What does it mean to be alive? What is truly life…’

‘Tarkin had me shot… Windu impaled me… I should have been dead…’

‘No one survives that………’

‘……………………’

‘I did…’

‘………’

‘I clung onto life…’

Ahsoka stood, as the rain kept on increasing, feeling as if it began cleansing through her carapace-covered body.

“I’m alive…” she whispered.

“I feel… I feel…”

‘Water… Life…’

“I feel it… I feel the rain…”

She took a deep ragged breath, her emotions suddenly threatening to spill over, again. She looked up towards the top of the mountain cliff, standing tall, far above the hive cluster. Something deeply within her began to drive her onward. The infested togruta slowly walked through the falling rain, passing the hive structures, until she found herself at the base of the mountain. Scaling it upwards, then looking at her own claws.

Ahsoka leaped onto the soaked rock wall, piercing the surface with her claws, on all hands and feet. She slowly climbed upwards, taking her time as she slammed her hands and feet through the rock, with trails of water running down its surface and hitting her.

Up and up she continued. Through the falling water. Through the winds that soon began to howl around her, as she ascended higher. The rain poured down more and more heavily onto her, and flashes of lightning came alive far above, followed by the booms of thunder.

But the togruta wouldn’t be deterred, as she slowly but steadily ascended the mountain.

‘Water… Life… Alive…’ her thoughts went on.

The water flowed over her, through her, and she felt its coolness throughout her body. Yet no freezing, from either the rain or the winds. No tiredness. No emptiness. Life.

‘I feel… I feel… I feel…,’ she thought.

‘I feel the water… Water is life… I feel the water…’

Slowly, but steadily ascending. No tiredness threatened her ascension, and thus her life. That deep drive within grew stronger. She wanted to feel! She wanted to see! She wanted to know!

What is life? What is it to live?

Finally, Ahsoka reached the top of the mountain cliff. The mountain ridge stretched for miles on onwards, away from the hive cluster, with even taller peeks further beyond. To the right of the ridge, she could see the valleys, including the one with the thick, lush jungle. To her left was a much more open landscape, most of it covered in creep, with varying amount of Zerg structures. And far to its horizon, something… stood out…

It didn’t matter right now, as Ahsoka merely stood there, now gazing up in the skies above and around her, their many flashes with thundering symphonies, the hailing water running through her soul.

‘I feel… I feel…’

‘I shouldn’t have felt this… I shouldn’t have felt this…’

‘I was near death… This wouldn’t be possible… I shouldn’t have felt this…’

‘But I’m not dead. I am… I am…’

“I am alive…” she whispered.

Taking deep breaths, and allowing her emotions to spill over, her tears were mixed along with the running water from the skies above. Ahsoka let herself drop down on her knees.

“I’m alive…” she sobbed.

“I’m alive… I’m alive… I feel…”

‘Life…’

“I feel the water.”

The coolness of the water. Her own breath. Her own heart beat. The winds blowing across her montreals. The humid air through her nose.

‘I live! I should be dead, but I live!’

“I… live…” she whispered.

Lifting up her arms, and holding them our wide, she allowed the rain to wash through all her being. Ahsoka sobbed, while feeling the splashing coldness from the life-giving rain. Rain that gives life to all creation. Rain that nurtures the soil. Rain, that sustains all living matter. Rain, ever cleansing rain.

“I’m alive…” she wept, “I’m alive… I’m alive…”

‘I should be dead… But I’m alive!…’

‘They tried to kill me… They almost did… But I’m alive!…’

Taking deep breaths to steady herself while letting her emotions run their course, Ahsoka became aware that something was near, ascending up to her. As the togruta looked around, she watched as three mutalisks slowly rose above the cliff, gently soaring above her. The three creatures calmly flew in circles in the air above her, their shrills repeating again and again. Not the usual screech that she had heard from their kind. But slower. More calmly, more… meaningful, in a way.

‘They’re… singing…’ she wondered, ‘…to me?’

She couldn’t help but call back to the flying creature, with a attempted shrill of her own.

‘Life,’ she mused, ‘Do I know so little about life itself? What does it mean to live? What does it mean to be alive?’

Breathing deeply, listening to the song of the mutalisks, allowing her tears to continue, as the pouring rain never ceased its cleansing of her, giving her its own nourishment.

Ahsoka felt it.

The call.

‘It is time.’

Breathing calmly to steady herself, she slowly rose up to her feet again, still with the three mutalisks circling above her. Ahsoka stepped over to the cliff’s edge, and looked over the primary hive cluster. Force, it spread out quite wide, thick with Zerg structures, with the Hive Palace standing out among them, right at the very base, straight down from where she stood. And she observed the Swarm present, all the Zerg creatures, spread throughout the primary hive cluster and beyond, all gazing up at her. They were waiting. They were anticipating.

‘It is time.’

‘I am… I am Zerg…’

‘I am what I am. I am who I am.’

‘I am alive.’

Taking a final breath. Then Ahsoka let out her roar towards the entire Zerg Swarm! And the present multitudes of creatures responded in kind. The sound of collective roaring filled the sky, and could be heard far away.

‘The Padawan is no more.’

‘I live!’

She was theirs. They were hers. They were one, as Ahsoka allowed her own mental shielding to fall, to invite them in, while she continued her living roars towards the skies.

‘I am Ahsoka Tano… I am Zerg… I and the Swarm… are one.’

Coruscant
Jedi Temple

Anakin Skywalker felt the deep sadness within.

‘Ahsoka?’ he wondered.

The Jedi Knight was in his quarters, having been tinkering with yet another mechanical project of his own, to distract himself and pass the time. Pretty much what he tended to do lately, when not with Padmé. Yet the deep sorrow and sadness ached within. More so lately.

Anakin had loved Ahsoka like a sister, and she had been taken away from him and Padmé.

“You’re stuck with me, Skyguy”

“Don’t get snippy with me, little one!”

Anakin couldn’t even focus on his own project now, and he looked over at the table, at Ahsoka’s silka beads, which had been in his possession ever since her death. He picked them up, and left his quarters.

“You know, I don’t even think you’re old enough to be a Padawan!”

“Well maybe I’m not, but Master Yoda thinks I am.”

That cheeky smirk of hers, that day…

Oh, that attitude of hers… How she easily riled him up back then…

He let himself smile a little at the memories, as he was riding up the lift. He also felt the aching deep within. Probably what remained of their bond, he figured. Like a hole ripped open in his soul, feeding him with pain and sadness.

‘Is this was Obi-Wan felt after Master Qui-Gon died?’ he wondered briefly, before he shook off the thought of that man. No, he wouldn’t give his former master any presence in his own thoughts, these days. He refused!

But strangely… this hole had been aching more lately. Something… somehow… changed, after the first two months. Ever since he woke up that night, and startling Padmé in the process, greatly. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t it dull with time?

“Well, this is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.”

“What? Hey, it’s not my fault! You were supposed to study the holomaps!”

“I did! Remember, when I reminded you about the giant wall, and you said, “Don’t worry, Snips, we won’t be anywhere near that”?”

“Just get ready to climb!”

The elevator reached its destination, and Anakin soon found himself in the Jedi Temple Gardens. It was late evening, so only few people were present. Not a place this particular Knight would visit regularly, but he needed something else than his own quarters, stuffed with equipment and projects he had been tinkering on. He needed something more… appropriate.

There was the dull buzzing of Coruscant city in the distance, but overtaken by the flowing sounds from the water streams that passed by him, as he slowly walked through the garden. The early sunset illuminated the skies in orange.

He noticed Plo Koon sitting at a bench nearby, hunched over. The Kel Dor Jedi Master was breathing heavily, struggling to remain calm. Despite him being a member of the Jedi Council, Anakin actually felt pity for Master Koon, not anger.

“Reached a decision, we have. Though not in total agreement are we,” Master Yoda had said at that sham trial, and it was clear to Anakin that Plo Koon was the one who pleaded for Ahsoka when the Council made their decision. Like Anakin, the Kel Dor was hit very hard by Ahsoka’s death, and he struggled deeply with the loss.

While the rest of the Council, they just…

Anakin moved on, and found himself at a secluded corner, with a bench. He sat down, as no one would disturb him there. The Jedi Knight kept looking at the silka beads in his hand, the only memento he would have left of his Padawan.

“You already did everything you could, everything you had to do. When I was out there, alone, all I had was your training and the lessons you taught me. And because of you, I did survive. And not only that, I was able to lead others to survive as well.”

Anakin allowed himself a slight smile, fond of that memory. But this time… his smile faltered at the thought.

‘I couldn’t save you this time… I failed…’

Was there an afterlife for her, he wondered, in spite of what the Jedi would say about such matters? Was she doing okay? Was she happy? Was she sad? Was she crying?

In the end of it, Anakin took a deep breath, trying to reign in his own guilt and sorrow. Guilt for not saving her. Not being strong enough. For being such a failure, causing others to die. And the deep sorrow for the dearly beloved, of his and Padmé’s. Gone, now and forever.

Whispering…

“Goodbye, Ahsoka.”

Chapter Text

………………

“Look, Ahsoka, everywhere there is life. Value it. Honor it.”

………………

“You must face death, Ahsoka. Do not fear it”

………………

Breginan system, neighbor of Genesis system
Breginan III
Midday

Leaves, of varying sizes… Vines stretching all around… The deep jungles… dim light…

The constant buzzing of life, from near and far away, in the midst of the dim, green light of the jungle. The constant chirping of insect life. The echoes of bird creatures cooing far away. A croak from an amphibian at a near stream.

The roars of lone predators…

The jungles spanned across the whole planet. The mighty trees ascending for hundreds of meters. The jungle world, of Breginan III.

A world so full of life. Full of danger. Full of challenge, and opportunity.

A flock of silhouettes passed by quickly, led by her.

She dashed through this dense jungle. She panted with a grin, full of anticipation, visible all over her face. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her body. Her mind, one with the pack of zerglings running along with her, feeling all their eagerness and excitement, just as they felt her own. Seeing what they saw. Sharing the urge to find and defeat a worthy prey.

A quick gaze up. The trees of this global-spanning jungle world ascending so high, making Felucia look like picnic. Up and up they went. The pack sensed the life all around. Among them, powerful predators, worthy challenges to Zerg creatures such as themselves. One of the two hydralisks in their pack made a screech, ready to fell any of the worthy beasts they would come across.

Ahsoka and her pack made several leaps over huge tree roots, as they made their way through this dense vegetation. The smell of animals and beasts entered her nose, the sound of them roaring out in the distance reaching her montreals. And the whole pack let out their gleeful hiss, with Ahsoka’s grin widening.

One of those particular beasts was close. As on a cue, she felt another distant trio of zerglings reach out to her. Looking through their senses, she saw it, what they had encountered.

‘There! One has been found!’ she mentally called out to her pack, and the whole pack growled in their excitement, in anticipation of a successful hunt, as they turned their direction and continued on in haste.

A powerful roar ahead boomed throughout the jungle, with such force that it would have deterred most people from continuing. But Ahsoka was not like most people, neither were her hunting companions.

They were the Zerg! And that huge beast was their prey!

Within a minute, the trees opened out to a wider clearing, where a giant tangoros slammed aside one of the present zerglings, which were thrown into a tree and fell down, dead.

The present and newly arrived Zerg growled aggressively at the huge beast. They would avenge their fallen kin. The huge beast let out a raspy growl of its own, with the echo bouncing off the trees all around them.

This was not a mere revyosaur, no this was a tangoros. One of the ultimate predators of Breginan III. Huge as an ultralisk, quadrupedal creature with dark colors, and a giant jaw that could snap a hydralisk in two. Huge front legs sporting sharp claws, carrying such strength, evident as it just had killed a zergling that got caught in its powerful swipe, with such ease. [1]

Ahsoka and her newly arrived pack roared back in unison at the huge beast, its attention now fully given to them, before its booming roar came through and filled the vicinity. The Zerg quickly circled around it, with the hydralisks launching their spines at the tangoros.

Enraged, the creature lunged at one of the hydralisks, and struck at it with one of its front legs, at which the Zerg creature narrowly dodged. Ahsoka saw her chance, and using her powerful leg muscles, she leapt up onto the creatures side, and quickly climbed upon its back, before slashing violently at it with her claws.

The huge beast roared in pain and rage, and tried to reach its own back with its claws, but Ahsoka held on steadily. The hydralisks launched another volley of spines, and the zerglings quickly pounced in for attacks, before quickly backing off. Trying to shake of the infested togruta that kept harming its back, the tangoros rolled over to get it off, forcing Ahsoka to jump off before its weight would crush against her Zerg armor.

The creature got up, and roared in blind rage at Ahsoka, seemingly blind to the other creatures around it, that were slowly tearing down its defenses with their ranged spines, and the zerglings with their hit-and-run attacks.

The infested togruta was clearly the apex predator and leader of that pack, it would need to die first, before finishing off the rest. So the tangoros lunged at Ahsoka with a booming roar, and struck with both its forelegs. Ahsoka reacted quickly, and dodged through the underside of the beast while slashing at its belly on her way through, leaving a gash on the beast.

The force of the tangoros’s attack left two craters side-by-side, and the raging creature quickly tossed itself around, slamming its front feet on the ground, ready for another attack.

Ahsoka quickly noticed the craters left behind. Revyosaurs were a breeze compared to this one. One wrong move, and she would have to spend her time in a healing pool for days! Or simply die?

The hydralisks sent yet another volley at it, aiming at its upper body and head, and it put up one of its frontal legs to shield itself from the attack. Using the distraction, Ahsoka quickly ran to its side, and leapt up, stepping over its shoulder and onto its head, and slashed violently at its face.

The giant beast let out a pained scream, before rolling over. Ahsoka jumped off in perfect timing to avoid another crush, and the beast ended on its side, struggling to get up. Along with all her Zerg companions, Ahsoka lunged at the creatures belly, and she penetrated it with her arms and struck the inner organs.

The beast tried desperately to defend itself, as it swung its giant leg at the attacking creatures. The togruta flipped back in perfect timing, and most of the zerglings dodged the attack, although a few were hit and sent tumbling away. Several with critical wounds, one dead.

The beast lied there, panting, and looked Ahsoka it in the eye. Now the togruta could see fear in it. She took a deep breath, before leaping at the creature’s head with a snarl. Her arm penetrated its skull, and she killed the beast.

Climbing atop the giant carcass, she let out a roar, along with all the Zerg present with her. They all roared and screeched together, the intoxicating rush of satisfaction and triumph coursing through their blood. A chorus for all nearby Zerg and any other life to hear, witnessing the victory of the battle.

Once again, the Zerg had prevailed. Once again, the Zerg were supreme!

After a few more moments of satisfying roaring, Ahsoka took a plunge at the beast, and began devouring it, along with the rest of the Zerg creatures.

‘Meat is on the menu, guys!’ she gleefully told them through their shared link.

Part of her old self would probably be a bit disgusted by now, but hey, togrutas are carnivores anyway. So what difference would it make, except for her now complete lack of table manners?

Kellust system
Zerg breeding worlds

She watched from the darkness of space, as the whole brood was ascending from the planet where they had bred, up into the leviathans ahead of them.

A whole mass of overlords and purgalisks, carrying multitudes upon multitudes of Zerg creatures. Zerglings. Banelings. Roaches. Hydralisks. Lurkers. Ultralisks. Ravagers. Swarm hosts. And so many more…

Accompanied by mutalisks. Brood lords. Vipers. Scourges. Among others.

Being one with the Swarm, all the multitudes of life connected together, she could feel them, as they felt her. One single purpose. One single drive, that led them all. The hive mind, uniting all creation under one guidance. All caring for the Swarm. All caring for the multitudes upon multitudes. All caring for living, and surviving as a Swarm. All caring and lifting up one another.

She let her consciousnesses extend, and journeyed through the stream of life, moving through creature after creature. Feeling their life, their instinctive need to be connected with the Swarm, to live for the Swarm, to fight for the Swarm. She could see the creation all around them, through their eyes. She felt what they felt, what they touched, what they smelled, what they heard.

The eagerness of the zerglings, new packs being hatched and formed at high rate. The silent anticipation from the hydralisks, expecting to strengthen and extend the Swarm to new reaches. The growling might of the ultralisks, tall and large, full of strength and determination. The mutalisks soaring through space, as they were both athmospheric and space-faring creatures, excreting gas to move through the vacuum. The calculating guidance of the overlords, the ancient strain whose minds provided stability in the Swarm, with instinctual knowledge and memories reaching back to ancient times.

All being one. The complete harmony. No strife existed inside the Swarm. So many creatures, all of unique strains. All with different functions, but all living for the same goal. No corruption. A great living organism, with countless organisms carrying it. The hive mind guiding it all, answering to the Queen of Blades.

Life, on a massive scale.

Her own eyes glowed light green there in the darkness, as Ahsoka gazed from aboard one of the leviathans. Looking all over the migrating masses ahead of her, sensing the Swarm, feeling the complete harmony.

And it was all glorious!

Days pass…

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

Genesis Prime
Main hive cluster
Hive Palace

“GHH!” Ahsoka gasped awake.

‘No, get me out! Get me…’

She blinked her eyes, and saw that there was no Tarkin here, no armed troopers, no Mace Windu. No execution. Only her own private chambers. Far away from Republic space, far away from the war.

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Open!’ she commanded the sleeping pod, and it retracted itself, letting her out.

Ahsoka staggered slowly over to the flesh wall, and let herself slide down to her knees as she fought to gain control over her panicked breathing, and calm her way-too-high heart rate. That lingering fear was a nightmare, even when awake.

A squeal came calling through the flesh door, filled with longing, and worry.

“Fine, come in,” her echoed voice responded, and the door opened to reveal two very familiar zerglings running eagerly over to her and they started nudging her affectionately.

She reached out with her mind, and connected with the two, and their minds were as one. She felt their care and support, while they felt her… very complex mess of emotions, for being a Zerg creature.

“You two must be the most persistent Zerg I’ve ever met,” she chuckled, feeling her nerves slowly calm down.

‘How many times did I reject you two, while you kept reaching out to me?’

“That’s it,” she decided, “I’m naming you two.”

“You,” she looked at the one to her left, “shall be Lursa.”

“And you,” she turned to the other one, on her right, “shall be B’Etor.”

“Lursa and B’Etor. May your enemies fear your names across the stars, and may you be the best company an infested togruta can have at all time.”

They let out their affectionate growls, not comprehending the terror their names were destined to bring for all eternity, and Ahsoka smiled fondly at the two.

‘I was so wrong…’ she sighed.

‘I was so wrong about the Swarm… So wrong about… everything…’

Outside the Primary Hive Cluster.
Afternoon.

“You seem quite eager, today,” the Queen of Blades smiled, as she and the togruta once again faced each other, on the outskirts of the primary hive cluster.

“I feel eager,” Ahsoka replied.

“I’ve kept watch on you ever since your reawakening,” the Queen spoke, “Your burdens have lessened. You are healthier. More content. Better rested. More present in mind.”

“It wasn’t what I wanted,” Ahsoka said, “But I do accept what the Swarm has done to me. The Padawan is dead. She died in that execution chamber. Now, I am something different. I have a different life, now. With a different purpose.”

“I am Zerg. I am one with the Swarm.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” the Queen said, before moving into her battle position.

“Now then, ready for today’s lesson?” she grinned.

“Bring it on!” Ahsoka bared her teeth, full of anticipation, before the two of them pounced at each other, with packs of Zerg around them witnessing the training session.

A training session typical for the Queen of Blades and her new consort. And the Queen quickly found that the infested togruta was far more invested into this fight than previously, using not only her aggressive nature, strength and reflexes, but starting to use her head as well, and think. She had to up her own game, less she wanted to receive a cut from the togruta.

Days pass…
Ahsoka’s Pond

Ahsoka was lying on her back, at her claimed pond in the jungle near the hive cluster, with her two companion zerglings resting beside her, all content.

‘Today is the day,’ she thought, feeling both exited and anxious.

‘I’m no longer Jedi, so what am I then?…’

‘In time, we will know,’ she heard the Queen’s voice in her mind.

She turned to see the Queen of Blades approach her.

“Today may be the beginning, but only one step among many,” she added verbally.

“Your Highness,” Ahsoka stood up and bowed to the Queen, before both sat down with legs crossed.

After a moment of silence, the Queen spoke, “I sense… apprehension from you, Ahsoka. Are you well?”

“I don’t know,” the infested togruta shook her head.

“I haven’t properly connected with the Force since all this happened. Aside from when we first fought. I don’t know how different it will be, or what will happen.”

“You followed my command surprisingly well, for one who carried such pain, and such distrust against us,” the Queen spoke, “However, you are calmer now, and have come to terms with part of your story. The Zerg one, that is. I deem you ready.”

Ahsoka cast a look at the Queen who sat beside her, her own eyes filled with insecurity.

“Ahsoka,” the Zerg matriarch gently put a hand on her shoulder.

“The Force is part of your heritage. It is part of who you are. Do not fear it, embrace it.”

“Okay,” Ahsoka took a breath, “Here goes nothing.”

Closing her eyes to stay calm and meditate. To reach out in the Force. She felt… it was familiar… but something different… something… wrong… pain… hurt…

The Queen observed as the togruta tensed up, and began breathing faster.

‘Well, this is less than optimal,’ she frowned, looking at what was unfolding in front of her.

Pain… destruction… death…

Ahsoka gasped loudly, and almost fell over.

“Easy there,” the Queen tried to steady her.

“What was that?!” the togruta exclaimed.

“You’re the expert, you tell me,” the Queen replied, with a raised eyebrow.

Ahsoka merely stared deadpanned at her.

“Psionics, remember?” the Queen tapped her own head.

“Right…” Ahsoka sighed.

“I… felt…”

“I… don’t know how to even put words onto it… so much… everything feels like ripped open… like if something has torn everything asunder… many dead… destruction…”

“Could it be,” the Queen mused, bringing her hand up to her chin, “simply being far away from the war lets you have an outside perspective? Living on Coruscant, you were pretty much in the center of it, perhaps it numbed all your senses, along with the other Jedi?”

“I don’t know, Your Highness” Ahsoka shook her head, “but it sounds… reasonable?”

“It’s merely speculation of my part, keep that in mind. Now, shall we try again?”

Ahsoka blinked, and looked at her.

“Connect with me and the Swarm as you go through the necessary steps. Try to lean upon us for support and strength.”

The togruta nodded, and closed her eyes once again. As she reached out to the Force again, she gritted her teeth slightly, at the increasing discomfort of connecting with the… devastation… running through it all…

And she reached out to the Queen and the Zerg Swarm, for help.

‘That’s it, keep going,’ she mentally heard the Queen gently reassure her, as she felt the her presence within her, giving her a renewed calm, shouldering her burden. Along with B’Etor and Lursa lying at their feet, and along with all Zerg around her, reaching out to her to strengthen her resolve, and focus.

Time moves on...
Ahsoka’s pond
Nighttime

‘Stars… so free… so happy…’ Ahsoka thought to herself, as she was once more gazing up on the night sky above.

But now with far more calm now than weeks ago.

“They’re happy, aren’t day? So free from all the perils of our lives… right, B’Etor?” she said, and turned to look into the eyes of one of her adopted pet zerglings, lying there with her.

Or was it they, who adopted her?

The zergling let out a content purr, as she scratched it below its head.

“So far away… so unawares…”

“Are you unaware too? You and your sister?”

B’Etor let out a friendly growl, along with her sister, who lied on the other side of the pond.

Despite the calm, Ahsoka still felt the numbness inside her.

Accepting and embracing the Zerg Swarm was an important step on her road to recovery, she figured. The worst fear had passed. The Zerg weren’t the monsters she always believed them to be. She wasn’t that monster.

No, that title belonged to the Republic, and the Jedi.

Still… her nightmares still haunted her. The betrayal… the trauma… the pain……… the execution in that chamber…

Ahsoka let out a pained sigh. It was still a long road ahead of her… if she was ever to find any lasting peace, away from her monsters.

Time passes…

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with the most burning sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber protruding out of her abdomen.

……………….!!!!!!!!!!!!

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

*Gasp!* - *Huff!* - *Puff*

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

…….”-soka!”……

*Huff!* - *Puff*

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

...”Ahs—ka!”…

*Huff!* - *Puff*

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

“Ashoka!”

*Huff!* - *Puff*

“Talk to me!”

Ahsoka blinked her eyes.

‘Where? What?’

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

“Ahsoka, talk to me!” she heard a voice at her side, and turned to see the Queen’s face, directly in front of her, while the matriarch was shaking her by her shoulders.

And then realized she was struggling hard to breathe. She was… hyperventilating?…

……

THUMP!-THUMP!-THUMP!

…… Zerg can hyperventilate? ……

“That’s it, focus on me. Focus on my voice,” the Queen instructed, gently and slowly.

“Where… What…”

It felt as her heart was ready to burst out from her chest.

THUMP!-THUMP!

A worried wheeze came from front of her, and she looked down to see her holding onto Lursa for dear life. She was sitting with her back towards one of the trees, near the hive cluster.

“I was…”

“I…”

Still breathing heavily.

“It’s okay, I’m here with you. We’re all here. You’re not in danger. You’re not in that execution chamber anymore.”

“Highness… I was…” the togruta sniffled, as a tear fell down her face.

“It’s okay… It’s okay…” the Queen whispered, slowly embracing her as Ahsoka began to sob.

“It doesn’t stop!” she cried, “When will it stop?! I can’t stop it! It won’t stop! It keeps happening again and again!”

“I know what you’ve been through. It’s okay. You’re safe. Let it all out.”

The togruta breathed haphazardly as she let out more of her anguish, with the tears running down her face, and she let herself be open, feeling the Queen’s presence, Lursa’s presence, and the presence of all those around them, hold onto her, caring for her, feeling lifted and carried by them.

She was not alone, they were all around her, and stood with her. Their aid would always be there for her. They loved her. They cared for her. They were one with her. Her and the Swarm, all as one.

Her anguish. Their nurture. Her pain. Their soothing. Her fear. Their assurance.

The Queen slowly pulled herself away from the hug, and allowed herself to sit beside Ahsoka, legs crossed. The togruta was still holding onto Lursa, which purred and appeared content in being on Ahsoka’s lap.

“I don’t suppose,” she sniffled, “that you got a degree in psychology, or something, your Highness?”

“Well, the hive mind does have knowledge about that profession, but I’m hardly the right candidate,” the Queen chuckled, “With my history, I’m probably better suited for occupational psychopath, than a councilor.”

Ahsoka couldn’t help but giggle a little.

“Does it ever go away?” she asked.

“You will carry those memories for the rest of your life,” the Queen answered as gently as she could.

“It will be easier with time. But it won’t disappear entirely.”

“I guess not,” Ahsoka murmured in disappointment.

The Queen cast a glance at the zergling.

“It has taken an extra liking to you, that one. So has its sibling.”

“I named this one Lursa,” she smiled at her pet, “The other one is B’Etor.”

“Lursa and B’Etor,” the Queen mused, dwelling on the names.

‘………Where exactly… have I heard those names before?’ she wondered to herself.

The Mountain Cliff above the Primary Hive cluster.
Daytime.

The galaxy was full of wonders, all waiting to be discovered and explored. Perhaps her former life as a Jedi kept her too focused on fewer aspects of life. Her duties as a so-called protector of the innocent. To understand the Force. To fight in that… god-forsaken war…

Then again, everyone have their roles. A soldier is committed to security, combat and war. Mechanics to fix and repair equipment, droids, ships. Healers to heal the sick and nurse them back to health.

Very little time was left for exploration, and discovering the wonders out there.

‘In hindsight, maybe I should have joined the Jedi Exploration Corps, and travel through deep space,’ she mused, as she stood on the tall cliff far above the primary Hive Cluster.

‘Exploration all the time, away from all senselessness. That would have been great.’

And yet, being Zerg provided new ample opportunity, when she wasn’t training with the Queen of Blades. To be tethered with the immenseness that was the Swarm. To be one in heart and mind with the Zerg. To journey together with her newfound race, and behold it in all its intricacies.

To journey to the neighboring Breginan system, with its vast jungle world and go hunting with her gathered pack of Zerg, including Lursa and B’Etor. To journey the stars and dark void of space, to behold the vast broods arising from the breeding grounds. To explore every possible hidden corners near the primary Hive Cluster of Genesis Prime.

‘Great, now I’ve become a spoiled brat, haven’t I?’ she chuckled to herself.

‘Wonder what Anakin would have said, if he knew…’

She felt a pang of sadness, at the memory of her master.

‘Anakin… are you doing well?… Would you accept what I have become?… Are you able to move on?’

Ahsoka put the memory aside, and continued scaling the landscape ahead of her, from the cliff top where she stood. Jungles and valleys far to her left. Many times had she strolled through the jungles by now, even taking down a revyosaur by occasion, if she and her pets ran into one. Although it was rare now, perhaps their kin had finally learned their place, and feared her?

Maybe it was time for another hunt on Breginan? The great tangoros, being one of the apex predators, was a worthy prey for a good hunt. Her claws twitched in excitement at the mere thought.

Continuing looking for new discoveries from that cliff, she saw the very large hive cluster beneath her, spreading out ahead of her, and to her right. The very seat of Genesis Prime and thus the entire Swarm. Nothing new there.

‘Wait…’

Distant in the horizon to her right, something stood out. Scouring it with her improved eye sight, she noticed that the ground had somewhat different color. Less purple, more brown. Less creep, then? And what seemed like dots… far out in the distance… not of the various flesh and carapace colors shared by the hive structures… but gray? Like metal?

‘Mechanical buildings? Here on Genesis Prime?’

‘Could probably ask the Hive Mind… Nah, I want to explore. Keep it a surprise. But first, the cave!’ she smiled, and then leapt.

The wind howled between her montreals, while the coolness of the air hit her entire body as she fell down, with her arms and legs spread wide.

Ahsoka grinned, she felt alive!

Nearing the ground, a shrill came from her left, before a mutalisk caught her and carried her along the mountain ridge, towards her current destination. As the said cave came in front of them, Ahsoka dropped down from the winged creature.

‘Thanks for the ride, buddy. You can go now,’ she spoke mentally to the mutalisk, which shrilled contently, and returned towards the hive cluster.

There were several caves near the primary hive cluster, yet she already knew this one stood out, so she walked in with anticipation.

Yes, the cave was indeed different. There were Zerg bio-matter present in the other ones, but this one dwarfed all that by far! The rock walls were replaced by biomass almost immediately, after she entered the cavern. Flesh walls all around. The sounding of pulsating beats reaching her montreals.

*Thump*…… *Thump* …… *Thump*

Distant sound of creatures growling deeply… and moaning?

As Ahsoka continued, she came into a wide open hall, with different unique strands of Zerg spread out in different places.

The center of the hall had a pit in the ground. The infested togruta moved closer, feeling slightly drawn to it, and out of it a large caterpillar-like creature crawled out, having an overgrown head with green sacks on its sides, and scythe-like talons protruding from its back.

“What are you?” Ahsoka asked, wide-eyed. This one was certainly… special.

“Abathur,” it answered, with a deep, raspy voice.

“Evolve Swarm, spin strands and sequences. Serve Queen of Blades.”

‘It speaks,’ Ahsoka lit up, ‘Intelligence! This should be interesting.’

“And what is it that you do here?”

“Look at flesh,” he began, “see only potential. Strands, sequences, twisting, separating, joining. See how it could be better. Eat flesh, splinter bone. Inside me, can touch it. Weave it. Spin it. Make it great.”

Ahsoka gave the creature a dead stare.

“Okay, I understand absolutely nothing of what you just said,” she said dryly.

“To use a crude term,” she heard the Queen of Blades approach from behind, sporting an amused look.

“Abathur is our inventor.”

“Your highness,” Ahsoka gave a respectful nod.

“He’s also the oldest one among us. We go back a very long time, don’t we, Abathur?”

“Queen of Blades, among oldest strands present in Zerg Swarm. Yet, organism Abathur, exceeds Queen of Blades by far. However, age irrelevant. Presence, endurance and ability to renew more critical than age.”

‘I… think… this one is worse than Yoda…’ Ahsoka thought to herself, feeling a slight horror, ‘How is that even possible?’

“So, you create the new strands, then,” she asked.

“Create new strands. Improve on existing strands. Make better. Make it great.”

“Good, for a moment there, I kinda got the feeling you were obsessed with perfection.”

“Never perfect. Perfection goal that changes. Never stops moving. Can chase, cannot catch.”

“Great…” Ahsoka sighed

‘He is obsessed…’

“Yes, great. Make strands great,” he replied, causing Ahsoka raised an exasperated eye brow.

“Seriously, you don’t have social skills, do you?”.

“Social abilities, irrelevant for Swarm. Assimilated through Swarm hive mind, connected to Queen of Blades. Individual social abilities not required. Not relevant.”

“I meant it as a rhetorical question!”

“Rhetorical questions, means for stating verbal points of discussion. Not required in Swarm. Not-”

“Forget I said anything!” Ahsoka tossed her hands in the air.

‘This one is way worse than Yoda!’

“Unclear…” Abathur muttered.

Ahsoka looked over to the Queen, only to discover her holding up a hand to her own mouth, holding back her own laughter.

“Very funny,” she rolled her eyes, before turning back to Abathur.

“So, you evolve the Zerg.”

“Focus is evolving the Swarm,” Abathur replied, “Seek perfection in all things. Work in evolution pit. Can review my work here, at Queen of Blade’s leisure.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Ahsoka nodded, before looking around.

“Um, I do have your leisure, right?” Ahsoka called out to the Queen.

“Of course. Enjoy your tour,” she answered.

Ahsoka spotted several strains spread around in the hall. Some she had never seen before, others were experimental variations of existing strands.

Such as the zergling she now stood in front of, which didn’t have it’s usual claws protruding from its back, but instead sported four long tentacles rising up from it.

Ahsoka watched, and felt as the zergling reached out to her with one of its tentacles, and gently stroke her chin while purring. Ahsoka let out a giggle, and reached out to this creature through the hive mind.

It was one, among many. But one. An experiment, to be judged whether useful addition to the Swarm or not. But it didn’t seem afraid. Live or die, for the Swarm?

Ahsoka moved on, and spotted something rooted into the wall. Something that had a shape like a… humanoid! Walking closer, she could indeed see it had a female-shaped body, two arms, two legs, and a head. A bald head, with the very distinguished features she had seen all over the galaxy. Female.

‘An infested human?’

Suddenly the woman shot her eyes wide open, and she loosened herself from the wall and stood before Ahsoka. Her body had less carapace than Ahsoka or the Queen’s, primary covered by that leathery skin. Brown in color. Short claws. She was taller, full adult size.

The woman tipped her head from side to side, as she looked over the togruta. With a very wide grin!

‘Hello!’ Ahsoka heard a melodic voice in her head, almost singing.

“Uh… hi,” Ahsoka responded.

‘You new! Hello, New!’

“It’s Ahsoka.”

‘Oh. Hello, Ahsoka!’

“What is your name?” Ahsoka asked.

‘You have puzzles?’

“Huh? What do you mean?”

‘You have puzzles?’ the woman repeated the question.

“Uh, excuse me?” Ahsoka called out to Abathur and the Queen, who was in a discussion of their own.

They turned their attention to the infested togruta, who pointed at the woman beside her.

“What does she mean about ‘puzzles?’”

“Organism Cytheria,” Abathur responded, “Unique. Specializes in interacting with Republic machinery, and revealing their obscurified knowledge.”

“Slicing?” Ahsoka realized, turning to the woman.

“You’re a slicer?”

‘Puzzles!’ her voice rang out in excitement, with her arms raised.

‘You have puzzles?’ she asked again.

“Uh… no… sorry, I don’t,” Ahsoka hesitated, not sure what to make of this.

‘Okay. I’ll go for walk. Bye!’

And the woman quickly staggered off, with her legs spread and arms dangling aside, yet surprisingly quick and balanced. [2]

‘Hello Abathur! Hello Queen!’ she chirped as she passed by them, not looking at them even once.

One of the nearby hydralisks, that had been docile, came to life, and caught up to her, moving by her side as they both left the cave, with Ahsoka simply staring after them.

“Cytheria,” the Queen spoke, now standing by the confused togruta’s side, both looking after the disappeared duo.

“She is unique, that one.”

“I’ll say,” Ahsoka muttered.

“What happened?”

“She was one of the best slicers in Nar Shaddaa over two hundred years ago. But she had a rare mental disease, and her mind began to slowly deteriorate. Her condition had no treatment back then, and eventually, she would lose herself and go completely insane.”

“That’s awful,” Ahsoka replied, feeling sorry for the woman.

“Most worlds in the Republic would put patients like her into palliative care, for the rest of their lives,” the Queen continued.

“Nar Shaddaa doesn’t strike me as a place with palliative care,” Ahsoka pointed out.

“Quite right,” the Queen confirmed, “She stole a ship from one of the crime bosses, and ended up here in Zerg Space. When we found her, she begged us to infest her.”

“Brave of her,” the togruta commented.

“Actually, at that point, it was her madness speaking. Still, I accepted, and we went through with it. It stabilized her brain, and halted the deterioration. But we could not restore what had been lost to her, so she had to evolve herself anew from that point, and she became the cheerful one you just met.”

“She strikes me as kind of child-like,” Ahsoka remarked.

“Apt description,” the Queen agreed, “If you want an intelligent conversation, you’ll probably want to talk to someone else. Instead, try to link with her emotions next time, you’ll convey more to each other that way.”

“Interestingly enough, she kept all her knowledge and skills as a slicer. You should try to link with her anytime she’s doing slicing. That’s when Cytheria really comes alive, and all the flood of thoughts and information going through her head… it’s like she’s a different person.”

“Aside from that, she’s content in either physically hibernating inside here, while remaining mentally connected to the Swarm, or taking a walk outside with her hydralisk companion. She named it Joe.”

“I take it she’s happy,” Ahsoka said, “Given what happened to her, that has to count for something.”

“So… slicing… all the way out here?” she wondered.

“I have agents working for us inside the other civilizations. Republic space, Separatist space, even Hutt space. Sometimes, they need aid in breaking encryption or unlocking data, and send it to us. That is where Cytheria comes in. She outclasses them all. Even gives me…”

The Queen stopped abruptly, and cleared her throat.

“*Ahem!*…gives our agents a run for the money.”

Ahsoka slightly raised an eye brown, but thought not much more of it.

“So you have computers nearby, then?” she asked.

“The Swarm doesn’t need technology to function, we evolve instead. But yes, they’re useful for intelligence work and long range communication with technological civilizations. I have one hooked in the Hive Palace, as well as in every leviathan.”

“Running on bio-electricity?” Ahsoka asked.

“What, you thought we would be running on coal instead?” the Queen replied sarcastically.

“Ha-ha…” Ahsoka rolled her eyes.

“How many of us are there?” she asked.

“About a dozen. You are the newest. Everyone has each their story, and each of them ended up in Zerg space and willingly joined the Swarm, for their own reasons. You’re the first one whom we actively brought out of the Republic to be infested.”

“I guess it was one of your agents then, who retrieved me from the morgue,” Ahsoka said.

“Remind me to thank her. Or him.”

“No to worry, she already knows,” the Queen smirked, before turning back over to Abathur to continue their discussion, while Ahsoka continued to explore the various strains inside this evolution pit.

Time passed on, as Ahsoka walked from strain to strain, and studied them over. Eventually, the Queen of Blades eventually, leaving her alone on her tour, while Abathur looked over one of his experimental strands.

“Hey, Abathur?” Ahsoka called out after a while, as she was looking over a red-glowing swarm host, another experiment of the evolution master.

“Have you tried augmenting strains to use the Force?” she asked curiously.

“Hmm,” Abathur mused, as he moved over to her side.

“Midi-clorians. Microscopic creatures, present in all bio-matter. Present in Swarm strains. Present in all biological creatures. Are connected to transcendent energy field present everywhere.”

“The Force,” Ahsoka said.

“Holds great potential, can be used for powerful abilities, benefiting Swarm.”

“However, midi-clorians elude Swarm.”

Ahsoka sensed a quiet resignation in Abathur, as he continued on.

“Have attempted to multiply. Have absorbed essence of several species showing high presence of midi-clorians. Yet, when spawning strains, no yield. Midi-clorian presence does not replicate at Swarm’s command.”

“It almost sounds as if the Force is denying you the ability to create Force sensitive creature,” Ahsoka mused.

“Hmm, difficult,” Abathur said, “Have made multiple attempts for countless cycles. Can only infest, not replicate”.

The creature turned to Ahsoka, studying her.

“Organism Tano. Fascinating. Swarm template based on Queen of Blades. Also, first organism with high midi-clorian presence combined with higher brain functions. Carries great potential. Will observe with interest.”

“Well, I hope this lab-rat lives up to your expectation, then,” she smirked.

Abathur simply turned and moved back to his current experiment, saying no more.

‘Not much of a conversation partner, are you?’ Ahsoka scoffed.

‘He can hear you. So can we all,’ she heard the Queen chime in.

‘Doh!’

The complete end of privacy… that would take a looong time to get used to!

There was this other place she had seen from the cliff, that was worth a look. The one with the dots of metal. And that certain area lowered further down into a wide trench area, hiding its visibility from the flat ground as Ahsoka calmly strolled onwards into her world of exploration, along with Lursa and B’Etor.

And yet… when she reached the place… what the togruta found was not what she would expect in a Zerg world, of all places.

“What the kriff is all this doing here?!” she asked aloud, staring aghast at all of them, as she slowly entered the place and walked by them.

Ships.

Ships!

Ships spread all around her. Not made of bio-matter, but of metal! No other Zerg nearby. No creep on the ground. Just the wind blowing slowly around them, and few drops of rain falling down from the sky, hitting here and there.

Like a graveyard, void of life.

A ship graveyard.

It was probably her newfound Zerg side talking, but it felt wrong. Out of place, these didn’t belong here!

‘Explain the presence of ships on Genesis Prime, this close to the primary hive cluster,’ she demanded from the hive mind.

‘Used by agents of the Swarm for infiltration of known civilization,’ the knowledge came to her.

‘Oh… I see… Makes sense, actually.’

And thus the togruta regained her calm, again.

‘And… if I want to practice flying, I might as well borrow one of these. Any good starfighters around?’

Ahsoka looked around, taking note what was present. Various ships, small personal transports and dropships. A few fighters. A Republic bomber, recent model, probably stolen. Larger cargo transports, some probably containing a lot of storage space useless to the Swarm, but useful to the agents.

One of them a Luxury 3000 space yacht, like the one Hondo Ohnaka used to deliver them the rocket launchers, when she on Ossus with the rebels. Probably used by the agents for cargo transport or storage, they didn’t need this kind of luxury.

Not wanting to stay here any longer than necessary, she turned, fully ignorant of one of the smaller dropships on the other side of the space yacht.

A dropship, personalized for quick flight and combat, with advanced deflector shield and steering.

It carried the name ‘The Tarsonis’.

Days later
Ahsoka’s Pond

Ahsoka looked once again upon her reflection in the pond. Bleak face… green-tinged marking… her glowing eyes… the montreals and lekkus…

‘It’s not what I wanted,’ she sighed, softly caressing her cheek with her clawed hand.

‘Not what I wanted at all…’

‘………’

‘But it was necessary for me to live.’

She dipped her hand into the water, and felt the coolness of the liquid wrap around her skin and carapace.

‘I’m alive… that’s what matters… it will have to do… it must!’

‘I’ll always cherish the good memories. I’ll always cherish the time I got with Anakin and Padmé.’

‘I will miss the younger girl, who was so innocent… naive… so hopeful and full of life.’

‘I am different now. I live. But I will never forget the ghosts of my life, and what they did to me.’

‘My life for the Swarm.’

Inside the jungle

As she strolled through the jungle, she heard a rustling to her right, in the bushes. Sensing the presence to be Zerg, she and her two zergling companions stayed relaxed, as they saw the hydralisk calmly move out of the bushes, towards them.

Ahsoka looked over it, and recognized the wide scars spread across it’s upper body, on the right side.

“It’s you!” she realized, “You’re the one who fought that revyosaur.”

The togruta felt the creature inside her mind, and allowed its presence, as she felt its adoration for her, and contentment. She patted the back of its head, while it let out a content hiss.

“You survived,” Ahsoka smiled, “you did regenerate.”

“I guess you still have some more to go?” she wondered, looking over the scared surface.

The scars on her abdomen from her first fight with that predator were long gone, all she saw now was the thick carapace covering her stomach.

“I’m glad,” she smiled at the hydralisk.

“I survived too. That makes two of us, huh?”

Primary Hive Cluster
Late evening.

“Young lady Tano,” she heard Alleria call out to her.

She sat at a hydralisk den, with B’Etor in her lap, embracing the zergling. The togruta looked tiredly at the approaching broodmother.

“You are fatigued. You must rest, and regain your strength.”

“My connection with the Swarm will have to do…” Ahsoka answered solemnly.

“I’ll find my strength there.”

‘The Force is still a jumbled mess, I’ll have to figure out that one later.’

“But surely, all Zerg must recuperate from time to time. It is no different with you,” Alleria said.

“Most Zerg aren’t haunted by nightmares,” Ahsoka sighed tiredly.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Shall I concoct a biological gel that soothes your body, then? Or make changes to the stress receptors in your brain?”

“Uh, no, thank you very much. I’ll… handle this on my own. I’ll be fine.”

Alleria studied the infested togruta for a silent moment, before she moved on, to look out for the brood.

‘She’s right, you know,’ she heard the Queen’s voice in her mind.

‘You’re tired. Your body may endure much more now than before, but your mind needs the sleep.’

‘Have tried…’ she sighed.

‘I… I don’t want to… I’ll just see it again. That execution squad. That lightsaber through my stomach… Kriff!…’

‘It happens every night! And then I wake up, thinking I’m about to die, and I struggle even to breathe.’

‘I understand your plight, Ahsoka, but there is very little else you can do for your mental health right now. It will be easier with time. Now go bed.’

‘You know, for being an all-knowing Queen, your counseling really needs an improvement.’

‘I was raised as an assassin, not as a psychologist. Now go to bed.’

‘*Sigh*… Yes ‘mom’ ’ she replied sarcastically, before getting up.

A silent dread built up in her stomach as she slowly returned to her own quarters.

Lursa and B’Etor had moved in to their own sleeping corners in the night, somewhere along those hallways.

Ahsoka remained there in her personal quarters, and stared at the green resting pod in front of her, fully opened. Oh, how she dreaded to return there. The pod was actually quite comfy, once you got used to it. But not the dreams. Not her horrors of the night.

Seeing Tarkin… Mace Windu… getting shot and stabbed through her abdomen again. She had lost count of how many times she relieved her near-death.

It’s not much as the death itself, it was the deep, hopeless fright and panic that took full control over her.

And yet, she felt weary. Her Zerg body gave her far more endurance than before, probably even more than Grievous. But her mind… tired… needed the rest… rest that was denied by the monsters hunting her dreams…

“Curse it all…” she muttered, before yawning.

‘Here goes nothing… again…’ the Zerg togruta placed herself into her pod, and let her eyes close, as the pod engulfed her.

‘Oh Force, please spare me the nightmare… just for one night…’

Late night slowly faded to early morning. Ahsoka slept uneasily in her pod, as she had done for many night now. Her head began twitching slightly, her breathing became more labored. Her arm flickered.

But it was not the usual horror of her prior death that met her. No, something completely different came to her.

“Hello, Kerrigan. I’ve been waiting for you,” a sinister, bearded man spoke.

Chapter Text

Intense firefight! Everything shooting at the same target, inside a great hallway.

A large squadron of humanoids, inside bulky power armors of some sort, firing giant projectile weapons. Aided by a walker, with projectile chain guns, they unleashed all their firepower at their enemy.

The Queen of Blades leapt tall into the air above, with her wings spread, before piercing through the walker in high speed. Before any soldiers could react, her psionic powers lifted them all up above ground, before the purple energy sphere forming around her was unleashed, killing everyone present.

The end of this path led to an office, with monitors showing nothing but static feed. The present human, whom the office belonged to, opened a box containing a cigar, and what appeared to be a tall lighter. Perhaps he wanted a last smoke, as his final demise drew near?

The hound-adorned doors to his chamber were pried open by the Queen’s bone wings, and she slowly stepped inside. The man calmly turned his chair around, revealing his bearded face, wearing his red coat with the huge beige shoulder pads, and high collar around his head.

“Hello Kerrigan,” he spoke calmly with his deep, somewhat raspy voice, and rose up from his chair.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t tried to escape,” the Queen remarked.

“Escape?” the man replied, letting out a chuckle, “My dear, I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong.”

He flicked open the top of that lighter-device, which reveal a red button, and a hole in the floor opened up to lift up a tall alien artifact, shaped as a thin triangular prism, bristling with energy.

The Queen was immediately alarmed when she recognized it, but the human hit the trigger button before she could act. The artifact blasted her with its crackling energy, and the Queen yelled in pain and clutched her ailing head, then fell over. Moaning, she tried desperately to get up, but felt her strength failed quickly.

The man halted the device.

“Really…” he scoffed darkly, walking over to the nearby window, looking out over his burning city.

The Queen of Blades was breathing heavily, trying to fight the numbness that afflicted her entire body. She knew she was in deep trouble.

“Did you think I’d keep an animal like you close to me, without some kind of insurance policy?” he looked at her, then pushed the button.

Having gotten up to her knees, she tried desperately to fight through the pain of the energies hitting her, but only fell over instead.

“Clearly, you are my greatest failure,” the man continued, after letting up the button again.

He walked past her, and she felt all her energy drained, with no strength to get up. For all her powers… the most powerful being alive in the entire sector… she had fallen into his trap, and was now at his mercy.

And now, she looked up at him in increasing fear as he was about to deliver the killing blow.

“Now, at long last,” he said, with hateful satisfaction, “you will die!”

Genesis Prime
Primary Hive Cluster
Morning

Ahsoka gasped awake once again, and found herself inside the sleeping pod.

‘Open,’ she mentally commanded, and the pod pulled itself back as it released the infested togruta.

Staggering on the floor yet again, with problems at keeping a steady balance, she held a hand towards the wall for support once again.

For completely different reasons this time. There was no repeat of her (near-)death this time, with all the fright it gave her.

Instead…

It was… her!… and all that…

The squeals behind the organic door reached her montreals, and she mentally commanded the door to be open, letting B’Etor and Lursa in. The two zerglings ran up to their beloved mistress, and as Ahsoka kneeled down to them, they nudged and nuzzled at her, and licked her as she gently petted them.

The togruta would have giggled at her two favored companions, if it wasn’t for the troubled thoughts brewing on her mind. Not that they seemed to care, while she absentmindedly let them into her mind.

For once Ahsoka has slept fairly well, because she was spared her (near-)death this time. Instead, she witnessed a completely different mess. Followed by an increasing amount of questions.

‘Who- What- When-’

‘Okay, Ahsoka, one question at at a time… *Ahem!*… What the kriff just happened? What was all that about? That battle? Who the sithspit is that guy? And why did the Queen have her face? Her face!’

Ahsoka felt her stomach drop as she slowly digested what she had seen.

‘Her face… Her face!… It can’t be… It can’t be…’

“Run along, you two,” she ordered the zerglings, as calmly as she could, at which the two creatures turned and dashed out.

‘Okay, focus,’ the togruta reminded herself, as she slowly walked to leave the Hive Palace.

She reached to the hive mind, and queried: ‘Give me all information about the Queen of Blades. Start at the beginning’.

‘The Queen of Blades,’ the answer came to her. Thoughts. Images. Feelings. Knowledge.

‘The Queen of Blades, the most glorious and powerful of us all. We, the Swarm, and her are one, she rules us with-’

‘No, not that!’ Ahsoka interrupted, asking the hive mind to cease.

‘Seriously, that’s the sixth time you give your glorified speech about the Queen and her greatness. I don’t need to hear it, I got it the first time!’

‘No offense, though,’ she added, ‘She is great!’

Ahsoka reached her usual exit of the Hive Palace. There were many like it, but this exit was now hers. Gray day, full of clouds, with a breeze blowing across the hive cluster. It would probably be a mediocre day, weather-wise. Which was okay enough for her. After all, she had climbed the mountain in far worse conditions. Boring weather is no match for a Zerg!

“Hello, Kerrigan, I’ve been waiting for you,” she recalled the man’s words.

Good grief, what a sleemo!

‘Tell me about the one named Kerrigan,’ she called out to the hive mind.

‘The Queen of Blades, the most glorious and powerful of us all. We, the Swarm, and her-’

‘Nope! Cancel that! I got it!’ Ahsoka literally held up hands, about to beg.

“I guess seven times’ the charm,” she muttered, but thankfully the hive mind left it with that.

‘So… her name is Kerrigan? Why show me now, while the hive mind won’t?’

“Ancient Zerg history, I guess?” she spoke to particularly no one, as she nodded her head in greeting to the various Zerg creatures sh passed, feeling them reach into her mind.

Zerglings, hydralisks, roaches, a few passing mutalisks.

Overlords. A few ultralisks nearby.

She felt them. One with them their minds. Their bond. Their adoration for her. And she returned the mutual feeling. The unified care for one another. The devotion to the hive. They will all live, fight, and die for the Swarm if necessary. She would for them, and they would for her.

Still, the images of that dream lingered in her mind. That face…

Ahsoka stopped dead in her tracks, as she recalled another source of information.

‘I can ask!’

And so she sat down with legs crossed, and reached out to the Force. She let all the sound around her, from all the Zerg life buzzing around her, pass by her montreals, and beyond.

‘Who is Kerrigan?’

The discomfort from sensing the war and destruction out there in the galaxy, through the Force, was unsettling, but Ahsoka was nonetheless too stubborn to give up right now. She was too curious. She needed to know!

As she listened through that noise, an image came to her mind. She saw several ships, including a certain space yacht, spread out on an open field, a place she recognized, one untouched by the Hive.

‘The ship graveyard’, she realized.

Getting up on her legs, Ahsoka walked towards said place.

‘I need answers.’

Ahsoka could probably have run to the place, to get there faster. But the togruta felt no desire to do so. There was no warning in the Force that she was in any inherent danger, which likely meant the Queen of Blades probably wouldn’t stop her from looking. Probably.

The togruta preferred to take in the sights around her. The life from the hive. The treelines that passed by her. Views of nearby mountains and hills. The brown soil, as the creep eventually gave way under her feet. The fresh air, of the wind blowing all around her. Occasionally reached out to the Swarm, or to the Force.

‘I wonder what happens if I connect Lursa and B’Etor and the Force together at the same time,’ she mused.

It would have to wait for a later opportunity, as she found herself at the ship graveyard once more. This time, she looked closely, studying every ship she could as she passed by. If the Force had called her here, it had to be for a reason.

There weren’t that many ships, probably more than a hangar, but last time she had no reason to closely inspect every single piece of machinery.

There!

Ahsoka gasped and stopped dead in her track, almost felt her heart skip, as her eyes stopped unto the one specific ship. One customized dropship, within her field of view.

‘It can’t be...’

The young togruta slowly stepped towards the ship, hardly believing her eyes.

“Deceive you, your eyes can. Trust them not, stretch out with the Force,” Yoda’s voice intruded from her memories.

‘No, shut up, you! You don’t belong here!’ she gritted her teeth, with a spark of anger flaring up inside, before she forced that memory away.

She stood outside the transport.

Big enough to carry a small cargo compartment, a bunk bed and hyperdrive, with the cockpit in the front. Small enough to be sufficiently nimble and agile enough in a dogfight. Personalized for quick flight and combat, with advanced deflector shield and steering.

Ahsoka put her clawed hand onto the ship’s durasteel surface, as she read the name tag above the back ramp. A ship she knew all too well.

“It can’t be… It can’t be…” she whispered, reading the name again and again.

‘The Tarsonis’

* FLASHBACK *
2,5 years earlier

Christophis. A war-torn city with greenish crystal-like buildings around them. Hit hard like many other worlds in this war.

She had just arrived, and been assigned to Master Anakin Skywalker. Just one problem: He didn’t want any Padawan. But Master Yoda was the Grandmaster, so his words were the law. Right?

Ahsoka spotted the pair they were approaching. A helmet-less clone trooper with bright hair and blue color on the shoulders and arms of his armor. He conversed with a human woman, who closely studied a datapad, probably containing important information. The woman wore a hostile environment suit, with patterns of dark gray and light gray. She had long red hair, and was armed to the teeth! If that sniper rifle on her back was any implication, along with the vibroblade it shared space with, and that custom blaster holstered at her hip.

“What’s the status Rex?” Skywalker asked the clone trooper.

“Quiet for now, sir. They’re gearing up for another assault,” he answered.

The clone looked at the young togruta, who kept taking in the sights of the nearby battlefield.

“Who’s the youngling?”

“I’m Master Skywalker’s Padawan. The name’s Ahsoka Tano.”

The woman raised an eye brow at her.

“Did the brat just acquire another brat?” she muttered to no one, looking back at the datapad.

Skywalker gave the woman a quick glare upon hearing her words.

“Sir, I thought you said you’d never have a Padawan,” the clone trooper, named Rex, said.

“There’s been a mix-up, the youngling isn’t with me,” he replied annoyed.

“Stop calling me that! You’re stuck with me Skyguy,” Ahsoka smiled cheekily.

Rex laughed, while the woman smirked, amused.

“What did you just call me?” Anakin burst out at her, “Don’t get snippy with me, little one. You know, I don’t think you’re old enough to be a Padawan.”

“Well, maybe I’m not, but Master Yoda thinks I am,” she smirked with confidence.

“Well, you’re not with Master Yoda now. So, if you’re ready, you better start proving it. Captain Rex will show you how a little respect can go a long way.”

“Uh… right,” Rex muttered in surprise, “Come on, youngling.”

“Pa-da-wan,” she repeated, annoyed.

“You know, Anakin,” the woman stepped over to him.

“Raising a kid of your own might be beneficial for you. Can’t let you run off like a crazed cowboy forever now, can they?”

“Oh not you too, Louise!” he sighed exasperated.

“Well, I better go and make sure your new Padawan doesn’t break Rex,” the woman grinned, before leaving him.

“She’s not my Padawan!!”

“Have you thought about moving that line back, Captain?” Ahsoka asked the clone as they walked among the crates, behind the cannons, “They’d have better cover that way.”

“Thanks for the suggestion, but General Skywalker thinks they are fine where they are,” Rex answered.

The red-haired woman approached the two from behind.

“So, if you’re a captain, and I’m a Jedi, then, technically, I outrank you, right”

“In my book, experience outranks everything.”

“Well, if experience outranks everything, I guess I better start getting some.”

The togruta stopped and looked at the armed woman who had joined them.

“And you are?”

The human merely stared at her, saying nothing.

“This is Louise Raynor. A mercenary who works with us,” Rex answered on her behalf.

“Right…” Ahsoka frowned at the woman, “Is there something wrong?”

“That remains to be seen,” Raynor answered.

“You just came straight from the Jedi Temple, didn’t you? Well, you better prove yourself out here, or else, you will die.”

“I’m a Jedi! Master Yoda thinks I’m ready,” Ahsoka scoffed at her.

“Then I hope Master Yoda is right. For your sake.”

“Who do you think you-”

“Both of you, please!” Rex stepped in, trying to defuse the situation.

A loud noise hit them from the distance, getting their attention.

“What’s that?” Ahsoka asked.

A red bubble formed in the far distance.

“Not good,” Rex said, “They’ve got an energy shield.”

“Well, that complicates things,” Louise sighed.

“That’s gonna make things damn near impossible,” the clone captain continued, “If you wanted experience, little one, it looks like you’re about to get plenty.”

War council. Three Jedi, one clone captain, one mercenary making a final check over her sniper rifle. An astromech droid. They looked over the holomap of the area, discussing the location of the shield generator. How it would block their cannons.

“If that shield’s gonna be such a problem, why don’t we just take it out?” the new Padawan suggested.

“Easier said than done,” Rex responded.

“Well I, for one,” Anakin cleared his throat, “agree with her. Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That’s the key.”

“Right then. Maybe you two can tiptoe through the enemy lines and solve this particular problem together,” Obi-Wan suggested.

“Can do, Master Kenobi,” Ahsoka exclaimed with confidence.

“I’ll decide what we do,” Anakin interjected.

“If Rex and I can engage them here,” Obi-Wan pointed at a spot in the holomap, “you two might have a chance to get through their lines undetected, here.”

“They won’t have much time,” Rex commented, “The droids far outnumber us, so our ability to street fight is limited without the use of heavy cannons. They will march forward under the protection of their shield until they are right on top of our cannons, then they’ll blow them away.”

“We’ll figure out a way. Come on, Master, let’s go,” Ahsoka chipped and turned arpund.

“If we survive this, Snips, you and I are gonna have a talk,” Anakin said, as he joined her.

“I’ll take the long way around,” Louise finally spoke, holstering her sniper rifle onto her back.

“Good luck, Louise. May the Force be with you,” Obi-Wan spoke, as she left.

“Yeah, you too,” the woman replied, as she disappeared among the crates.

“The make quite a pair, don’t they, sir?” Rex asked, looking towards where Anakin and the youngling had disappeared from their sight.

“You think they have a chance?”

“They better,” Master Kenobi replied, “If they can’t turn off that shield generator before it reaches the heavy cannons, there’ll be no escape for any of us.”

“Raynor might be able to succeed if they fail, but will she make it in time?” Rex wondered.

It took them long enough to reach the shield. After spending time waiting inside a crate, to let the shield and droid army pass. Then crawling on their fours, inside that thing. Continuing on long enough to annoy the young teenager, so she needed to stretch her legs, and walk. Practically giving the crate two pairs of organic legs.

Only to crash into that destroyer droid, followed by a hail of fire and lightsaber deflection, then them trying to run because Master said so. And then a stop, because Master also said so. And finally, they cut the rolling destroyer, since it had put down its shield in pursuing them.

“Good. You take direction well,” he commented, before moving on, at which Ahsoka pouted at her new Master.

So okay, it worked. Except that her Master annoyed her.

Louise Raynor reached some elevated ruins nearby, which gave a good view, overlooking the surface area around the shield generator.

‘Could possibly damage the shield generator enough to disable it, if I land a whole load of precision shots at a weak spot,’ she thought to herself, as she unholstered her sniper rifle and looked through its scope.

‘Only problem is I need to know exactly where that weak spot is. And it will cost me the entire energy cell of the rifle.’

‘Hmm…’ she surveyed.

‘I see the traps, alright. Anakin should too. Ah, there they are.’

The woman spotted the Jedi Knight and Padawan duo approach the area, and take cover behind some wreckage.

‘As long as- What the?’ she watched the young togruta run towards the generator.

“Shit…” the mercenary muttered to herself.

“Stay close. We’ve gotta be careful,” Anakin had said, as they beheld the central area, with the shield generator beaming out its energy, atop a platform ahead of them.

“Come on!” the togruta said, and ran.

“Wait!”

“Why?” she called back, “We’re almost there. It’s right-”

Her foot triggered a pad beneath her, causing a sort of quick beep, while a few antennas lit up around her.

“I said wait!” Anakin growled.

“Oops,” Ahsoka yelped, as huge LR-57 combat droids sprung up

Big and clunky, the whole lots, with their enormous cylindrical heads carrying two arms with double laser cannons.

“Forget about the droids!” Anakin yelled and drew out his lightsaber.

“Set those charges!” he leapt at the droids and attacked.

A series of blaster fire passed above him, and hit several of the combat droids just beneath the cylinder heads, and a few more fell over while he kept up his cutting.

‘Good! Louise is here!’ Anakin thought.

At least she did her part properly.

One of the droids stood up to smash its canon arm at Ahsoka, who was about to set the charges. Sensing the attack coming, the young togruta dodged the smash, and rolled beneath its legs. She then whipped out her lightsaber, and slashed it horizontally, before Force-pushing the machine away, causing the big cylinder-head to fall off, and roll across a lot more sensors on the ground.

“What… the hell… are you doing?” Raynor muttered annoyed, as she briefly watched through her scope, before resuming her firing at the droids ahead.

‘That brat is going to get him killed.’

“Sorry!” Ahsoka called out.

“Whose side are you on, anyway?” Anakin shouted back at her, looking at the horde of droids before him, just before more blaster bolts passed over him and started taking them down, one by one.

“Setting the charges,” Ahsoka muttered, while Anakin resumed his battle.

“Hey, who are you?!” Louise heard a battle droid speak behind her. The mercenary quickly tossed herself around with her blaster drawn in her right hand, and shot three very quick blasts before landing on her footing.

Three battle droids fell over, with their heads missing.

“What the?!” one behind exclaimed, just before it witnessed the woman leap at them with her vibroblade drawn in her left hand.

She quickly danced around in the newly arrived group of battledroids, with her blade swinging all around.

“Heeelp!” one of them panicked, as sparks flew everywhere, and they all shot desperately at the quickly moving ghost among them. Louise grabbed onto one of the droids with her left arm, holding her blade fast while shooting at the droids with the blaster in her right. Her droid shield didn’t fare well at all, as it received all the shots from the squadron in front of them.

She then kicked off the droid onto some of the remaining ones, and leapt at them, alternating between swinging her blade, and shooting droids, remaining in constant fast motion.

The mercenary was panting a little, standing crouched over and looking around, as the last droid fell over, before she quickly moved back over to her position, and picked up her sniper rifle.

“Back to business,” she mumbled, and saw five remaining droids encroach upon Skywalker.

‘Damn, I don’t have a good angle- What?’

She watched as the wall behind Anakin came crashing down upon them all, just as the brat had reached out her arms, and made a downward motion.

Anakin remained crouched on his knees, protecting himself from the falling wall, except that he was hit by… the wall’s big hole.

‘Oh, this is rich,’ Louise smirked, ‘Not too bad, kid. Not too bad… But you still need a lot of work!’

“Ugh! You could have gotten me killed!” the Jedi Knight yelled at his Padawan.

“I know what I’m doing,” the youngling replied to her upset Master.

“I had everything under control!” he exclaimed at her, as he walked past her.

“I just saved you life!” Ahsoka seethed back at him, crossing her arms.

Louise watched through her scope, seeing that the duo was arguing and yelling at each other.

‘…Really?’ she thought dryly, before activating her communicator.

“If you two hags are done bickering, we got a job to do!” Raynor’s annoyed voice interrupted them through Anakin’s communicator.

“Fine,” Anakin growled, “Did you get the charges set?”

“Yes,” Ahsoka replied.

“Then what are you waiting for?”

The girl proceeded to push onto a button upon her long glove, causing the charges to blow up the shield generator.

The shield extending through the city, protecting the droid army, quickly collapsed.

“Uh-oh,” said a droid at the front.

“What happened to the shield?” asked another, before a hail of artillery fire hit the droid forces, blowing up the tanks and troops all alike.

“You’re reckless, little one,” Master Skywalker said, after he sat down with her.

“You never would have made it as Obi-Wan’s Padawan.”

She sat hunched over, and closed her eyes in sadness.

“But you might make it as mine” he finished, glancing at her, to which she quickly met the gaze of her new Master, with a relieved smile.

“Really?” she thought. Was it really true? They’ve just met, and all they have done up to now is bickering at each other. Oh, and destroying a bunch of droids. And blowing up that shield generator.

Her new master smiled back, slightly.

“Come on”, he said, standing up.

The young togruta swiftly picked up her backpack, and ran after her new Master with great joy. She was really going to be his Padawan!

Louise had caught up to them when the Republic dropship had arrived to pick up Anakin and Ahsoka.

“Thanks for the cover,” Anakin said to her, which she responded with a nod.

She said nothing otherwise, and let Captain Rex do the compliments.

“Great job, General Skywalker,” he said.

“You too, kid,” he looked at Ahsoka.

A week later

Bewildered was probably not how Ahsoka would describe herself. It was something she would even admit either.

Yet here she stood, in the cargo bay, facing Louise Raynor. Master Skywalker’s mercenary aide. Friend. Something.

It was supposed to be an easy sparring match, as her Master had let the mercenary borrow his lightsaber, and fight in his stead. Instead, she struggled to win. Struggled against a non-Force user!

“What’s the matter, kid?” the woman with the long red hair taunted her, “Giving up already?”

She was a Jedi, and this mercenary was completely humiliating her, in front of everyone!

“No way!” Ahsoka exclaimed, holding her lightsaber in her backwards Shien grip, and came at the mercenary with a flurry of strikes.

And to the astonishment of a few clone troopers watching, Raynor countered every blow perfectly, holding the lightsaber in front of her, while stepping carefully around an increasingly frustrated togruta, who couldn’t seem to get through her defense.

The youngling went in for a hard blow, locking her saber against Raynor’s before a sudden kick swiped at her feet and sent her over to the ground. She found herself at the mercy of the older woman, who held Anakin’s lightsaber above her throat.

“You cheated!” Ahsoka exclaimed.

“Rule number one, kid: Your enemies cheat all the time!” she replied confidently.

“Louise is right,” Anakin stepped over to them, before the mercenary extinguished the lightsaber, and gave it back to him.

“Your enemies will do all they can to stop you, even fight dirty,” he continued, as he pulled his Padawan up from the ground.

“Be prepared for anything! Just… don’t do that at the Jedi Temple, otherwise the Masters will be on both of our necks.”

Ahsoka rolled her eyes before turning to Louise.

“How did you do that? You don’t even have the Force!”

“I’m damn good,” Raynor smirked, which annoyed the togruta even further.

“Ahsoka, there is more to fighting than just the Force alone,” her Master spoke, “With great amount of training, focus, discipline and patience, anyone can become a capable fighter. You completely underestimated her, and got frustrated. She had you since the beginning.”

“Although…” Louise said, “I don’t recognize the latter three as qualities you’re known for, Anakin.”

A snort came from Ahsoka, while Anakin gave the mercenary a mortified look.

“Hey! I’m trying to help you here! Okay, wits then! Thinking on your feet!”

“Well, I’ll give you that,” the mercenary agreed.

“Experience, that’s the point,” Rex threw in his comment, having watched the sparring match from the sideline. Having seen Raynor’s past actions, he was not surprised that the youngling lost the match.

“In my book, experience outranks everything,”

“Agreed,” Louise nodded at him.

“Also, Louise is probably the best fighter I know outside the Jedi Order,” Anakin continued, with a hint of respect in his eyes.

“We’ve worked together on many joint missions and jobs for years, since before the war. I tell you Ahsoka, she’s got it where it counts.”

“Yeah… We’ve had some crazy adventures, haven’t we?” she smiled.

“I’m glad you’re on our side,” Anakin said, sincerely.

Ahsoka looked back and forth between her master and the mercenary. She really had to dig up more into this.

“So…” she queried, “You used Form I, right?”

“Yes, or an approximation of it. Shii-cho is the easiest form to learn and remember. Not often I fight with a lightsaber, I’ll tell you that.”

“What about that vibroblade of yours,” Ahsoka pointed to the wall, where the mercenary had put her equipment.

“It’s meant to use with high speed and agility. And I doubt it would work well against a lightsaber.”

The mercenary gave Ahsoka a look, before continuing.

“You’re good for someone your age, kid. But your master is right. You completely underestimated me, and your frustration got the best of you.”

“But as you grow and get better, you’ll probably best me one day. But be prepared, I got more dirty tricks up my sleeve,” she smirked.

Another week later

“You’re early,” Louise Raynor muttered, as the mercenary with long red hair was inspecting her ship for damages.

“I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing,” Ahsoka spoke as she came around the corner of her ship.

“I thought patience was something you Jedi excelled at,” the older human said, still looking over the dropship's hull.

“Well, you haven’t said anything about where I can wait,” the younger togruta retorted with a smirk.

“Smartass,” Raynor replied, casting a glance at the eager teenager.

“So, what happened?” Ahsoka asked, curious about the minor damages on the ship’s hull, consisting of tiny blast marks.

“Doesn’t look that bad.”

“Blaster rifles,” Raynor answered, “Got caught by a few battle droids just at the moment I was starting up the ship. They landed a few shots before the deflector shield was up.”

“And Master Skywalker said that you were the best,” Ahsoka teased.

“Best yes,” Louise smirked back, “Efficient. But there’s no such thing as perfect, kid. First, have a good plan. Then, when the plan goes awry, think on your feet. Which, I’d say, your master does very well. Almost too well.”

“He’s a master at that,” the Jedi Padawan chuckled.

“You’ve been with him for only two weeks, how can you possibly know?” Louise raised an eye brow.

“I guess he’s that good?” Ahsoka shrugged.

The mercenary merely shook her head.

“So, tell me Ahsoka, have you ever done any espionage before? Or stealth missions?”

“No! Two weeks, remember!”

“Then I guess today is a first. This should be an interesting trip,” Raynor said, before motioning for her to enter through the ship’s back ramp.

“I’ll look forward to gain some experience,” Ahsoka quipped.

“Good, that will make Rex happy,” Louise said.

Before reaching the back ramp of the ship, Ahsoka noticed some letters at the top of the ship’s hull.

“The Tarsonis,” she read.

“Yes,” the mercenary said, seeming absent-minded for a moment, “I named it in honor for a place that was lost long ago, in a war… far, far away.”

Several hours later

‘Several hyper space jumps, just to reach a contact on a remote world? Espionage just stopped being fun…’ Ahsoka groaned to herself, as the blue light of hyperspace was still swirling in front of them.

“Don’t worry, kid, we’re almost there,” Louise said.

“Espionage requires mastery in patience. Something I would think the Masters at your temple had taught to you by now.”

Ahsoka rolled her eyes at the statement.

“Plus,” Raynor continued, “I’ve scheduled three days for this job. You didn’t really think meeting my contact was all I had in mind?”

“Well, you wouldn’t say anything!” Ahsoka defended herself.

“I guess I didn’t,” the mercenary smirked, “One step at a time, Ahsoka.”

The navicomputer beeped an alert, indicating they were arriving at their destination, and Louise reached out to one of the levers, to take the ship out of hyperspace. Just as it happened, both the mercenary and the Jedi Padawan stared wide-eyed at the sight ahead of them.

“Louise…” Ahsoka muttered.

“Yeah…” the red-hair responded in kind.

“Is… that fleet supposed to be here?!” the togruta pointed bewildered at the dozen Separatist frigates right in front of them.

“Nope!” Louise merely answered.

“W-What do we do?!” Ahsoka said with increasing alert, as she saw the horde of vulture droids charging right at them.

“Now… we run!” Louise exclaimed and grabbed the pilot controls, twisting them as hard as she could to turn the ship around, while hails of laser fire rained down on them.

“Shit!”

“Your plan has gone awry!!” Ahsoka shouted.

“Yes, now I’m thinking on my feet!!” Louise yelled back at her.

Another day, another time for trouble

“What did you do now?!” Anakin exclaimed, as the Master-Padawan duo was trapped in the hallway, between two ray shields. One in front, and another at their back.

“Me?!” Ahsoka shot back, “That was already here when we got here! And the other one popped up as soon as you came!”

“The first one wasn’t supposed to be here!” Anakin pointed at the front one.

“And you tripped the other one!” his Padawan pointed back.

“If you had followed my plan-”

“I did! You just forgot to mention that there would be a ray shield right here!”

“If you two brats are done bickering,” they heard Louise’s voice from the other side of the ray shield, and they saw her appear in the hallway ahead of them.

“We got a job to do,” she finished, opening a nearby panel, and connecting a data pad to it with some wires.

“How did you get here- Uh, there?!” Ahsoka asked bewildered.

“Teenagers…” the mercenary muttered, not giving her any answer.

After a few quick taps on her data pad, the ray shield disappeared, freeing the trapped duo.

“Seriously, Skywalker, I know third time’s the charm, but this is starting to get embarrassing.”

“Wait, third time?” Ahsoka widened her eyes, “You mean he has done this before?”

“She’s joking, Snips! Let’s just move on,” the aggravated Jedi Knight said, and quickly moved on, dead set on completing the mission.

“Oh yes. Except Obi-Wan was the unlucky companion. Seems you’ve kinda replaced him.”

“Oh I got to hear all about this!” Ahsoka said gleefully.

“The mission, Snips!” Anakin shouted back at them.

Louise shook her head, and gave the giggling girl a wink, before they moved on.

“I’ll tell you later.”

Time passes
Naboo

“Good thing… I know you don’t mean… everything you say,” Ahsoka spoke, mustering all her remaining strength to respond her cheeky master. Then she let her eyes close, as she lied there on the stretcher.

“Oh God! Ahsoka, are you okay?” she barely heard Raynor’s distant voice, and sluggishly opened her eyes again, to see the mercenary quickly approach them.

The red-haired woman looked all over her, probably taking note of her darkened skin color and veins.

“You look like hell,” she said.

“Got myself… a little… cold…” she whispered, trying to smile.

“I don’t know whether you Jedi are brave, or insane.”

“Maybe… a little… of both…”

Both Obi-Wan and Anakin watched the exchange between the Padawan and the mercenary with amusement.

“Pilot, get these two out of here,” Anakin said to the crew.

“Thank you, Master,” Ahsoka smiled, before being carried onboard the dropship.

Time goes by

They came from behind. And before Ahsoka had time to deflect any shots or charge at them, the five battle droids lied on the ground, destroyed by five quick shots. She looked over to Louise, who was pointing her custom-built blaster towards them.

Five quick, perfectly precise head shots.

“Show-off,” the young Jedi muttered.

“I thought that was Anakin’s job,” the mercenary replied, “I’m just merely efficient.”

“At least leave some for me.”

“Ahsoka, this is war. I prefer to deal with them quickly when we’re in the field. You don’t survive the things I’ve been through without being quick and efficient.”

Time flies
Geonosis

“So, Master, what was your total?” Ahsoka asked, as Anakin was helping Obi-Wan on their way to the shuttle, where Ki-Adi-Mundi stood with some of the troops.

“Not now, Ahsoka,” Anakin replied.

“Come on,” the girl pushed on.

“Are you afraid you lost this time?”

“Fine. 55, that’s my count. And you?”

“60. Looks like I won,” Ahsoka said.

“Yeah, but I called in the air strike. Tie!” Anakin countered.

“You’re impossible,” Ahsoka rolled her eyes, and turned to leave.

“I’ll never understand how you can simplify these battles into some kind of game,” she heard
Obi-Wan comment.

“Ahsoka?” she heard Louise approach, and saw the mercenary coming towards her.

The woman seemed even worse for wear than the other three Jedi she just left, with her hostile environment suit completely dirty, all over. Well, maybe except for Master Obi-Wan, who needed Anakin’s help to move around. At least the mercenary walked on her own.

“Wow, you had a tough one, didn’t you?” Ahsoka asked.

“28,” the mercenary muttered, “You were counting, weren’t you?”

“That’s a low number,” Ahsoka frowned at her, “When did you get so rusty?”

“The moment you and your brainless master stole all the attention, and drew the forces away from me,” Louise sighed.

“And I thought you were the efficient one,”

“Oh, I was, believe me!” the mercenary replied annoyed, before plopping down on a nearby rock, “My 28 were efficiently obliterated.”

Ahsoka let out a chuckle, before sitting down beside her.

“Well, this is a complete mess…” Raynor muttered, gazing over to the wrecks from the battle.

“I got separated from the troops. Half of them are dead.”

“Yeah, it could have gone much better…” Ahsoka sighed in agreement, “At least Master Kenobi made it.”

“Count your blessings, kid.”

“One day, you have them,” she said with a solemn look, “The next day, you don’t…”

A year and a half has passed

Ahsoka and Louise were sparring against each other, both being deeply concentrated at what they were doing.

Raynor was not going to let the young togruta get a free pass, and put all her focus and wits into the match, but the young togruta had improved significantly since their first time. The young one was more careful and methodic in her approach, and had anticipated several of the mercenary’s attempts, such as swipe-kicking over her feet, or a sudden jab at her stomach or back.

Heck, Ahsoka was quick enough to throw away that flashbang grenade with the Force. Unlike the first time, that left a stunned and subsequently enraged teenager, to both Louise’s and Anakin’s great enjoyment.

Not to mention that the teenager had improved her own defenses, having now constructed a shoto lightsaber to guard herself.

The two kept going around each other, careful, measuring, anticipating…

The match dragged on, for a long time, with both contenders fighting evenly, but in the end, Ahsoka managed to get a quick move around Louise and kicked the lightsaber out of her hands.

Louise allowed herself to drop down on her knees, and let her strained breath out, while Ahsoka held her lightsabers above her.

“I win!” she declared victoriously.

“Well done, Snips,” they heard Anakin approach from the side, actually giving her an applause.

“Geez… For a moment there, I thought we were going to go on forever,” the mercenary breathed out exasperated.

“You held on for quite a long time. Not bad, for a non-Force user,” Anakin smirked.

“Not really my field of expertise,” Louise admitted, before accepting Ahsoka’s hand, and let the teenager pull her up.

“You’re good, though,” Ahsoka said, “Learned me quite a few things.”

“Rule number one, Ahsoka?” the mercenary asked.

“My enemies cheat all the time,” the young togruta answered her.

“Good,” the red-hair smiled, before turning to Anakin.

“I shall leave your Padawan in your capable hands, Master Jedi.”

“Well, good, I guess,” he replied, “Too bad you can’t put up a challenge against me, that would have been fun.”

“Charming,” the woman stared deadpanned at the cheeky Jedi, before both of them chuckled.

“So, were are you going now?” Ahsoka asked, with a hint of sadness.

The news had reached them a few days ago. Their friend was leaving their team.

“Republic Intelligence has requested… *cough*-begged!-*cough*… for my services directly, for some time now. The military leadership has given in as well.”

“Sounds fun,” Anakin shrugged, “And I guess it pays well too?”

“They have offered to triple my usual fee, but that’s not why I gave in. It’s just that…”

She pressed her fingers against her templates.

“I’m probably going to die of a massive migraine if they keep nagging at me. It’s been incredibly annoying, lately.”

“And with the military leaders agreeing with them,” Anakin spoke, “I guess they would fire you from your current job, sooner or later.”

“Not necessarily,” Louise responded, “but a bad client-relationship is not healthy for a mercenary’s reputation. And most of the other potential clients do not work for the Grand Army.”

They had gathered at the hangar. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin Skywalker. Ahsoka Tano. Captain Rex. And a whole platoon of clone troopers.

Louise had finished packing up and moving all her equipment to the Tarsonis, when they all arrived for the departure.

“We will be missing your good company,” Obi-Wan spoke, “I wish you well on your future endeavors, and I hope our paths may cross again, in a better future.”

“Thanks, Master Kenobi, I appreciate that,” she smiled, before making a polite bow to the Jedi Master, at which he responded in kind.

“Take good care of yourself, Louise,” Anakin spoke, “and always watch your back. You never know what gets thrown at you.”

“I thought I taught you that,” the mercenary raised her eye brow, at which Anakin merely shrugged.

“But yeah. You too, Anakin. Look after yourself and your Padawan.”

“It’s not going to be the same without you,” Ahsoka murmured, “I’ll miss you.”

The woman pulled the teenager into a hug,

“Look after Anakin for me, will you?” she spoke to her montreals, “And remember all that I have taught you.”

“I will,” Ahsoka smiled.

“And remember to annoy him in my place, sometimes.”

“I will,” Ahsoka grinned evilly, while Anakin rolled his eyes.

“Captain Rex,” she spoke to the clone captain, standing in front of the platoon.

“You’re a good soldier, and a good man. Whatever the future holds, I hope that you and your men will receive your just rewards, when the war is over.”

“And what do you think that is, ma’am?” Rex asked curiously.

“Well, for starters, freedom and a good life of your own,” she said.

“I’ll agree to that,” the clone captain smiled.

As Louise turned to enter her ship, Rex shouted out his command.

“Company! Salute!”

The mercenary looked around, to see all clone troopers standing towards her with their salute. Louise smiled, and gave a nod back, before opening the ship’s back ramp.

“May the Force be with you, Louise Raynor,” Obi-Wan spoke to her, on behalf of them all.

Louise merely stood with her back turned against them, in silence for a moment, before looking over her shoulder at them.

“You too,” she smiled, and entered.

“Have you noticed that she never says “May the Force be with you” ?” Ahsoka whispered to her master.

“Yeah…” he whispered back, scratching his chin, “You might be onto something there.”

Obi-Wan merely shrugged. If the woman didn’t want to, then that was her prerogative, not theirs.

About a half year later
Zygerria

“Psst!”

“Uh…” Ahsoka moaned, as she opened her eyes, and found herself in that hanging cage. With a seriously hurting body, after that torture session from that sleemo, Molec.

“Hey!” she heard a loud whisper from behind, and she looked over her shoulder, up at someone wearing a hooded cloak.

“What the hell are you and Skywalker doing here?!” the woman asked harshly, while looking quickly back and forth to ensure no one was coming.

‘That voice…’

“Louise?” Ahsoka squinted her eyes at her.

“Why are… no wait, can you help me out of here?”

“If I do that, I risk blowing up my cover!” Louise replied harshly.

“A job?” Ahsoka scoffed at her.

“Hey, we need help! Anakin and I! My people have been kidnapped from Kiros, and held as slaves. We need to save them!”

The woman frowned at her beneath her hood, while thinking it over.

“Three days,” she finally said.

“I’ll give you and Skywalker three days to sort out this mess yourselves. After that, I’m coming in. And it won’t be pretty.”

“Well, hello, Master,” Ahsoka spoke as Anakin and R2 had reached her, and he jumped upon her cage, chasing away the flying creatures wanting to prey on her.

“Took you long enough.”

“Well, I knew you had a nice view,” Anakin responded, gesturing towards the city below.

He jumped off, and concentrated, levitating the cage with Ahsoka inside. It was lifted off the hooks, floated up and landed gently on the ceiling. Then the Jedi threw off the cage door with the Force.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I sense a disturbance in the Force,” she replied, while removing the shock collar around her neck.

“It’s Dooku. I need you to get our ship. Here, take this comlink.”

“Where are you going?” she asked, crossing her arms, while holding onto the comlink.

“The queen knows where Obi-Wan is. Hold on to that comlink and wait for my signal.”

He leapt up onto the roof above.

“Hey, Master!” she called out, “Have you seen someone… special?”.

Anakin stood still for a moment.

“Yes… I might have,” he gave her a knowing look.

‘It was her!’ Anakin thought to himself.

“I guess someone special has a job here, today,” Ahsoka said.

“I guess so, too,” Anakin smirked back, before he turned and left.

‘Well, at least we made it within three days,’ Ahsoka.

‘Good luck with your job, Louise.’

Present time
Genesis Prime
Ship graveyard, outside the Tarsonis

“It is you,” Ahsoka spoke, and turned to see the Queen of Blades, now present with her.

As she looked upon the Queen now, it was as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes. She saw her face for who it was. Her face!

“Louise Raynor…”

Chapter Text

Present time
Genesis Prime
Ship graveyard, outside the Tarsonis

Shock. Disbelief. Of all people… of all places…

“It is you,” Ahsoka spoke, and turned to see the Queen of Blades, now present with her.

As she looked upon the Queen now, it was as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes. She saw her face for who it was. Her face!

“Louise Raynor… It was you, the whole time!” the togruta burst out at her.

“Yes,” the Queen firmly answered, looking sternly at the teenager.

“It is I. All this time, over these years, it was I.”

Not only her face, but her voice too. An echoed version of Louise’s voice. Not that it was any different, in fact it had been familiar all this time, but now she truly recognized it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ahsoka demanded angrily.

“Honestly, Ahsoka, would you have trusted me more?” the Queen pointed out.

Ahsoka frowned at the Queen, but… as she thought about it…

“Honestly… no,” she answered, after a silent moment.

“Not after this happened,” the togruta held up her clawed hand in display.

The Queen’s gaze softened up.

“One step at a time, Ahsoka. One step. I wanted to build more trust between us before I came forth with the truth.”

“Then why show me now?” Ahsoka asked.

“I didn’t,” the Queen replied, “I had nothing to do with it.”

Ahsoka widened her eyes.

“Then…”

“It seems,” the Queen mused, “that your own abilities beat me to it, this time. After all, you do have the Force.”

So that was it, then. The Force picked its moment, before the Queen.

“Still,” Ahsoka glared at her, “You deceived us, Louise. You deceived me and Anakin!”

“Yes, I deceived you,” the Queen once more countered her glare with a stern look of her own, not denying anything.

“Everything I have done, has been for the Swarm. I live for the Zerg, I fight for the Zerg, and if it comes down to it, I will gladly lay down my life for the Swarm.”

‘We have spied on them, even from the inside,’ she recalled the Queen’s words, the first night at her pond.

“You were the spy,” Ahsoka realized.

“The whole mercenary thing… you working for the Republic, you working with me and Anakin… with Obi-Wan… It was all a set-up. While we weren’t watching, you stole Republic secrets from right under our noses!”

“As I have told you,” the Queen added to it, “The Swarm knows far more about the Republic, than they do about themselves.”

‘Just how deep do all of this go…’ Ahsoka wondered.

“As I’ve told you, there are other agents than just myself. Although,” the Queen allowed herself a smirk, “I am damn good!”

“Anakin will never forgive you when he finds out!” Ahsoka said harshly.

“Skywalker is not supposed to find out. Neither were you,” the Queen retorted.

“I had no ulterior plans for the two of you. My everlasting mission is to protect the Swarm, and see to its well-being. As far as you were concerned, I intended to let you two live out your lives and eventually die one day, just like anyone else.”

“I’m very angry at you right now, Louise,” Ahsoka scowled at her. Then the togruta took a deep breath to calm herself, and her gaze softened up.

“…But you also saved my life.”

“I thought only two people stood with me. Anakin… Padmé… But I realize now there is a third. The one who I knew as Louise Raynor. You saved my life…”

A moment of silence between the two, as they looked upon one another, putting aside their mutual hostility.

One Zerg to another. Their bodies covered by that carapace and leathery skin. The tentacle-hair of one. The other’s lekkus and montreals covered in carapace. The bone-wings adorning one’s back. The other… speaking of which…

“Why do you get to have bone-wings, and not I?”

“You’ll thank me for it, one day,” the Queen replied dryly, at which Ahsoka chuckled.

“Maybe...”

“You real name… it’s Kerrigan, isn’t it?”

The Queen glanced at her, before gazing into the distance for a moment, reminiscing old memories. There was a solemness to the elder Zerg. Something that felt long lost.

“Sarah…” she spoke softly.

“Sarah Kerrigan. Louise is my middle name.”

“Sarah,” Ahsoka repeated, getting a feel for the name.

“Has a sweet ring to it.”

Kerrigan gave a slight smile.

“And Raynor?” the younger one queried.

At which she noticed the subtle smile, filled with sadness, if only for a moment.

“Ancient Zerg history,” the Queen answered.

“I sense it’s ancient Sarah history too,” Ahsoka added, with a slight wonder.

“Yes, that too,” Kerrigan nodded slightly, before tapping on the ship’s hull.

“Shall we?”

Sarah Kerrigan hit the button on the back side of the dropship, causing the back ramp to open up, and the two walked up to enter the Tarsonis. As they got into the cockpit of the ship, Ahsoka kept looking around the interior, finding it hard to believe that she was back here. It had been quite a while since Louise Raynor had worked with them, as far back as before Mortis. Then everything got turned upside down. And suddenly, here they were.

‘The memories’, Ahsoka thought to herself, feeling a confused mix of feelings inside. Nostalgia and disbelief.

“Your plan has gone awry!!” her memories rang to her.

“Yes, now I’m thinking on my feet!!”

The Queen, who had to squeeze together her bone-wings in order to avoid scratching the walls and ceiling, sat down on the pilot seat. Sideways, so her wings wouldn’t be squeezed between herself and the seat. Ahsoka sat down beside her in the co-seat.

“This is so strange…” she murmured, “Feels only like yesterday when I sat in this seat the first time, and our first mission together blew up in our faces.”

“Yes, our first espionage-together mission,” Sarah said, “After that mess, I was somewhat convinced that both you and Skywalker were bad-luck charms. It usually works out when I work alone.”

“Yeah… We left hangar with the ship carrying bolt marks from blasters. We came back with the hull half-way torn apart by vulture droid cannons,” Ahsoka chuckled.

“Happens in the field,” Sarah pointed out, “Sometimes, your opponents suddenly make complete changes of their plans, and accidentally place all their troops in your way, with you getting caught unaware. When it happens, run like hell!”

“That’s putting it mildly, since we hyperspaced into a whole fleet!”

“We survived, didn’t we?” Kerrigan smirked, “And we lived to warn the Republic about that fleet. I’d say all that counts for something.”

“Well, tell that to Anakin. I remember he got very upset,” Ahsoka said, recalling that certain moment with her former master getting out of control.

“Oh, yes he did,” Sarah chuckled, “It was a miracle that I convinced him to let you go on another mission with me.”

At now, both females couldn’t prevent the giggles, and they ended up laughing together. Quickly turning to belly-laughing, lasting for a minute. Oh Force, how long had it been since she could laugh freely with a friend?

“He’s very overprotective, more than most Jedi I’ve known,” Ahsoka said, after they had calmed down.

“Not even Obi-Wan or the others were like that.”

“Skywalker…” Sarah spoke solemnly, “He’s not your common Jedi. And he carries such a heavy load on his shoulders. His past was awful…”

Ahsoka gave her a look.

“Obi-Wan did tell me that he had been a slave… But did he ever talk to you about his past?” she queried.

“No,” Sarah shook her head, “he keeps it all bottled up. Won’t even let Obi-Wan in.”

“But I read his mind. Psionic-based telepathy can easily bypass the defenses of an undisciplined Jedi. And Anakin isn’t exactly known for that kind of discipline.”

“Yeah… that sounds like him, alright,” Ahsoka agreed.

“And as for his past…” the Queen spoke, weighing her choice of words, “Lets just say that what you and Obi-Wan witnessed among the Zygerrians, was bad enough. Out of respect for Skywalker, I suggest we leave it at that.”

“I agree,” Ahsoka said.

‘It’s his right to choose if and when to share his story, after all.’

“By the way, why were you on Zygerria?” she asked.

“Zerg Queen or not,” Sarah began answering, “I detest slavery vehemently, and I have plans for that place. I was about to make my move, when you and the others came on the scene. I was there, Ahsoka, I was there in the arena, among the audience, when they brought in Obi-Wan. I watched as the four of you got yourselves captured… quite a miserable affair…”

“Yeah… not our best moment,” Ahsoka grimaced.

“After your incursion there, and the successful rescue of your people, I decided to postpone my plans for the time being, to see if the Republic or the Jedi would intervene some more down the road. Maybe they will fix this in time, before I do.”

“I thought you didn’t interfere with other worlds,” the togruta followed up.

“I usually don’t, but there are exceptions,” the Queen answered.

“I’ll leave the details for later. You can ask the hive mind if you like, I have no objections.”

“I’ll save that for later, then,” Ahsoka said. Talking about that hellhole was not something that the teenager really wanted right now. Swift justice, if that was Queen’s plan, would come at an opportune time.

Kerrigan shifted in her seat, trying to alleviate the somewhat uncomfortable pressure on her crunched bone-wings, which Ahsoka took note of.

“Don’t remember you sitting this tight in here before,” she joked.

“Well, usually, I put aside my wings when I travel on this ship,” Kerrigan shrugged.

Ahsoka looked over the Queen of Blades, who carried the face of the mercenary she had known. Or thought she had known.

Louise Raynor… Who’s real name was Sarah Louise Kerrigan… and the Zerg Queen, all this time?…

“You were born human, weren’t you?”

“Yes… Yes, I was,” she answered solemnly.

“And you’re also a shapeshifter?”

“Partial. I can shift back to my human birth form. Although I didn’t evolve that ability until hundreds of years after I became Zerg.”

Kerrigan paused for a moment to think, before she continued her solemn tale.

“I fought my wars and noble causes, just like you, Ahsoka, before I was betrayed to the Swarm.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Ahsoka frowned, understanding that particular feeling of betrayal all too well.

‘I guess that bearded sleemo had something to do with it?’ Ahsoka wondered, remembering the man’s words.

“Clearly, you are my greatest failure.”

Kerrigan, meanwhile, gazed down on her own clawed hand.

“The Zerg unleashed a killer in me, unlike anything seen before. Eventually, I climbed the hierarchy and came to rule the Swarm. I was in… darkness… for so long…”

Her hand balled into a fist.

“I was eventually freed from the darkness, but by then, I had the blood of millions on my hands, and I had turned everyone against me.”

“That’s terrible,” Ahsoka murmured.

“It’s ancient history now,” Sarah finished.

She looked at Ahsoka, seeming almost apologetic.

“I’m not a moral person, Ahsoka. I’m not someone whom people would consider good. I have too much history for that.”

“Who are good, anyways?!” Ahsoka blurted out. “The Republic? The Jedi?! Kriff no!”

“I don’t think I am, either,” the togruta added bitterly, feeling the brewing pain inside once again.

“With what I’ve just survived… What I am going through… With what they did… I can’t honestly say that I know what is good. Not anymore,” she murmured.

“I don’t think I will be good, either…”

Another moment of silence between them.

“I have deceived you, yes,” the Queen spoke again, “but I won’t say that everything was a lie, either.”

“How so?” Ahsoka asked.

“In spite of everything, with the Republic being corrupt, and my strong disagreements with the Jedi…”

“Frankly, you see them as fools,” Ahsoka chipped in.

“Well, yes,” Sarah agreed, “But, in spite of all of it, Skywalker has earned my respect.”

Ahsoka looked at the Queen, waiting for her to continue.

“He’s deeply committed to his friends,” she continued, “and will go great lengths to protect them. He’s not as stuck-up as some of the Jedi Masters, and not so tied down to their dogmas.”

Ahsoka smiled, feeling both the warmth and the deep sadness, of her beloved master.

“He’s got a good brain in his head, when he’s not carried away by his feelings.”

“Oh I find that hard to believe,” the togruta snarked.

“How long did you work with him, before we met?”

“Years,” the Queen smiled fondly.

“I watched the heckling between him and Obi-Wan for quite some time. Even participated myself, as you have seen.”

“Oh, and he married Amidala.”

“HE WHAT?!”

Kerrigan fought the urge to laugh as the infested togruta at her side sat there and gaped. Ahsoka blinked her eyes a few times, before shaking her head and tried to gather her thoughts.

‘Tell me all about any relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala’ she asked of the hive mind.

And the knowledge of the Zerg Swarm once again reached her mind, and filled her head with images, knowledge, sounds.

She witnessed as if a younger Padmé stood right in front of her, same height, a white dress and matching headdress, and a minister beside them. C-3PO and R2 were watching them there in the background. A stone fence at their side, with a huge lake.

“No way…” the togruta muttered in shock.

As the minister stepped aside, they reached took each others’ hands…

‘Hey! Those aren’t my hands! And what happened to the right one, it’s mech- Oh… It’s Anakin, isn’t it?’

They leaned in for the kiss.

‘No, stop!’ she immediately dismissed the imagery, ‘Too weird! TOO WEIRD!!! I’m not watching myself- uh, himself- kissing her!’

‘*Sigh*… Why couldn’t there be a holo-recording instead…’

Other thoughts from Anakin’s perspective between him and his secret wife was about to play off in her head, but she stopped the whole thing before she found herself- Uh, Anakin!- kissing or arguing with Padmé, whichever it was.

“They actually married… And you knew this?!”

“I stole that information years ago,” Sarah smirked, amused by everything that had gone through the teenager’s head.

“Easily read his mind. Also, I sliced the databanks of Naboo and found their hidden records.”

“I just… wow…” Ahsoka shook her head, “It’s just a lot…”

“And… at the same time… it makes complete sense! All the things I noticed between them! They way they looked at each other. The subtle things… I should have figured it out!”

“But… the Jedi… he is Jedi… the code forbids attachment…”

“I recall from your memories that he taught you ‘Purpose before feelings’” Sarah pointed out.

“If you want my opinion, I’d say that Skywalker has figured it out. It’s far better than complete detachment.”

“…This is personal to you, isn’t it,” Ahsoka realized.

“Yes… It is… Detachment did not save me from the darkness…”

“Cryptic,” Ahsoka commented.

“And I’ll leave it at that. Ancient Sarah history, like you said. One day I might indulge you about it.”

“Anakin and Padmé… married… I still can’t believe it…”

“Like you still can’t believe you’re Zerg now?”

“Well, that…” Ahsoka looked at her claws.

“I can’t deny it, per see. Just… It’s been the… craziest, most insane month in my entire life… It’s still hard to wrap my head around it. All my life I’ve been a Jedi, and I tried to learn as much as I could. I served the Republic to my best. I expected to become a Knight someday. Then a Master. But then it all happened… And now I’m here, infested. Assimilated. One with the Swarm.”

“And I’m still a mess,” she sighed, feeling her unruly emotions wanting to spill over, for the nth time now.

That inner pain would not go away any time soon. But she knew that somehow, she would endure.

“Regarding you…” Sarah continued, looking at the young togruta in the co-pilot chair, “I was annoyed at your rashness at first, but you also grew on me. You had an adventurous spirit, and a kind heart. Not caught up in too much dogma. Stubborn callous girl with much talent and too much overblown self-confidence. But willing to do what you could to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Not out of dogma, but because you desired to. It’s something I came to respect, despite you being a Jedi.”

Ahsoka smiled at hearing the praise.

“Not to mention, all your bickering with Skywalker is the most fun I’ve had for many years.”

“I aim to please,” Ahsoka quipped.

Sarah smiled, before casting a more serious glance at the togruta.

“You’re right, Ahsoka. He will get hurt if, or when, he finds out. I never intended this, but with you in the Swarm now…” she pondered about the way ahead.

“What are your intentions, regarding Anakin?”

“Honestly,” Ahsoka spoke, “I don’t know. I don’t know what will happen, or where to go on from here. I… despise… the Republic, and the Jedi. But not Anakin, or Padmé, they stood with me.”

She crossed her arms, thinking over it.

“I… don’t want… to reveal myself to the Republic, they’ll probably turn me into lab-meat. Maybe they’ll feel like executing me all over again, just for being Zerg now. Either way, I don’t trust them at all, and they sure as kriff won’t trust me. I don’t want Anakin or Padmé to be caught in the proverbial cross-fire.”

“I don’t see any reason for Anakin to enter Zerg space anyways, so… I guess we won’t see each other again… for… a very long time… if ever…”

She felt the sadness deep down.

“I hate the way we parted…” she murmured, “but maybe it’s for the best that they don’t know. After all, the Ahsoka they knew… Ahsoka Tano, the Jedi Padawan… she died that day.”

“You said so, yourself, that I would never be the same. That life, as I knew it, is over. I am not who I was. How can I, with all this… this… what they did to me…”

“There is no way back,” she finished.

“Then so be it,” Sarah nodded.

“Are you okay with this decision, though?”

“No, of course not,” Ahsoka replied, with a distraught look.

“I miss Anakin! I miss Padmé! I miss them terribly! And I really want to hug them and tell them that I’m alive and well, so they don’t have to mourn me anymore! But…”

She let out a deep, frustrated sigh.

“I don’t see any other options… Not with the way things are now… I think it’s for the best that they remain unaware, and move on. For now.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Sarah said in sympathy, “I know you care deeply for them.”

“Thanks,” Ahsoka nodded, although a faint sense of dread built in her stomach as a certain memory came back to her. One filled with invasion and destruction.

“Now, at last… on this world, retribution shall be mine!”

‘When the war happens…’ she thought to herself, ‘We’ll be on opposite sides… I can’t care for the Republic anymore, but Anakin… and Padmé… What do I do, if we face each other?!’

Kerrigan frowned a little, knowing Ahsoka’s thoughts surrounding her visions, but said nothing of it, as they left The Tarsonis, and began their journey back to the hive cluster.

Some words are best left unsaid… until the appropriate moment requires it…

As they neared the hive cluster, Ahsoka spoke up again, softly. “Sarah?”

They paused, as the young one looked at her Queen.

“Thank you… for saving my life.”

Sarah gave her a silent genuine smile, before they moved on.

3 days later
Mountain cliff, above the primary Hive Cluster

Sunny weather, with the chill breeze of the wind. The very cliff edge provided its great view over the entire hive cluster, and all the lands around. A good meditation spot for her, among many others.

There were people she once knew, who would have hated to make a climb so high for just meditation. She? Climbing was easy now. Not to mention that fetching a ride with a mutalisk was a very useful perk of being assimilated into the Zerg.

Ahsoka took a deep breath, and kept a calm concentration as she reached out to the Force. That first time at her pond had been difficult, even with the mental support from Sarah and the Swarm. Everything felt so… messed up…

Perhaps the Queen was right, that the outside-perspective this far away from the war changed her perception of it. After a few meditation sessions, Ahsoka had grown accustomed enough to manage the connection of her own.

In a way, it was like meeting a dear friend again, having been on a long journey far away. Access to her powers once again. All the abilities she had before, now combined with her Zerg strength and reflexes.

‘Hmm… have to try leaping, combining the Force with my powerful leg muscles now,’ she smirked.

But… while meeting the friend again… everything was muddled… messed up… the friend had been hurt…

‘Where do we go from here?’ she sighed, and opened her eyes again, gazing over the view ahead of her.

So many things had happened… so much was still new to her… all the information she now had access too… Not just the staggering amount of it, to which she required time to integrate into her own brain, bit-by-bit, but the dark truth behind them.

Kerrigan was not kidding when she spoke of the corruption. Every intel she and her agents had gathered, was integrated with the hive mind and accessible to her.It was worse than the togruta had imagined, and given that she and the Jedi had fought for that Senate… Ahsoka felt nauseated at the thought.

Still, if felt nothing compared to what they did to her.

“Who are the real monsters?” Sarah said to her that first night at the pond, trying to get her point across to her.

With emphasis on ‘trying’.

‘Well, you try telling someone completely traumatized and scared to her very core, you’d probably have to be a saint or a Geonosian brain worm to succeed at first try,’ Ahsoka thought dryly, reflecting upon that memory.

‘But yeah… who are the real monsters…’

‘They were my family… I fought for them…’ she felt the bitterness swell in her chest.

‘They cast me out… they abandoned me… The Republic executed me, for something I didn’t do…’

‘If they had investigated it properly…’

‘Barriss!…’

Burning anger rising inside.

‘Okay, easy there, Ahsoka, you don’t need another temper tandrum, you’re supposed to meditate.’

Another deep breath. Eyes closed once more. Reaching out to the Force.

‘………’

‘What do I do, with all this…’

Reflecting on the Jedi Code…

‘There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.’

‘………’

‘Completely useless!’ she growled mentally.

‘There is no emotion, there is peace.’

‘But in hindsight, I fail to see what has been so peaceful with how the Jedi handled the war, or all that which led to it. How can they stand by, and be tied to the Senate, when… *Ugh!*… Sarah is right, if they only had cut their ties to the Senate instead…’

‘There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.’

‘I don’t see any knowledge in how they dealt with me. That was ignorance, big time!’

‘There is no passion, there is serenity.’

‘I’d say they’re quite passionate in protecting a corrupt Republic. And thinking they know the best.’

‘There is no chaos, there is harmony’

‘And yet, ironically, the Zerg does this one much better!’

‘There is no death, there is the Force.’

‘I almost became one with the Force, thanks to you! And thanks to the Swarm, there really is no death. At least, not yet.’

‘……The Swarm saved my life… Sarah saved my life!…’

“The teachings of the Jedi is useless to me,” Ahsoka said out, to particularly no one, before letting out a sigh.

‘They are nothing but hypocrites. All of them are hypocrites. The Order, the Senate. All of them!’

‘They teach these things, yet do not uphold them themselves.’

‘There is no way I will ever go back to them! There is no way, that I will follow their code, ever again!’

‘Useless!…’

“So now what?…” she wondered.

There was the opposite option. The teachings of the Sith. Yes, accessible within the hive mind, believe it or not.

‘Well, Zerg space covers what used to be the ancient Sith Empire,’ Ahsoka mused.

‘I guess they found something on those worlds as well.’

‘Show me the Sith Code,’ she asked the hive mind.

‘Peace is a lie, there is only Passion.
Through Passion, I gain Strength.
Through Strength, I gain Power.
Through Power, I gain Victory.
Through Victory my chains are Broken.
The Force shall free me.’

‘Feisty,’ Ahsoka smirked, sensing its tempting prospect. Then she frowned.

Clearly, the opposite of the Jedi. It had its appeal. However, Count Dooku was clearly the opposite of the Jedi, and practitioner of the Dark Side. The Crimes he and the CIS committed during the war…

‘I may be a savage beast now, a bitter savage beast, but even I have some moral standards left. I refuse to sink down to such a low level that I mass-murder innocents, or sell them off as slaves.’

‘Zerg or not, I will not forget his crimes against my people!’

‘Kiros… Shili… I wonder what will become of my people, when the war is over…’

‘Back on track: show me the consequences of using the Dark Side,’ she called out to the hive mind, and as she delved deeper into the memories available, her face twisted in revulsion as she watched various encounters of Dark Force practitioners. Kerrigan had encountered several of them over the centuries, and dispatched them efficiently, including two rogue Jedi under her guise as Louise Raynor. The second one of those two had… gone completely insane.

She saw memories after memories with Dark Side users, so many of them vile, power hungry, completely twisted.

Kerrigan had rules against interfering with growing civilizations within the expanding borders of the Zerg Swarm. They and their closest system would remain untouched, then after becoming space-faring and making first contact with the Swarm, the Queen of Blades would set up rules and boundaries for travels throughout Zerg Space. Laws shared by all civilizations within their domain.

But there were exceptions. Such as Sith cults, practicing the Dark side of the Force. Zerg space covered what was once the ancient Sith Empire, and they tended to show up now and then. Whenever the Swarm came across them, Kerrigan herself would lead the attack and exterminate them all, removing the cancer from the body before it could spread its harm.

‘If I’m corrupted by the Dark Side,’ Ahsoka realized, ‘It might spread to the Swarm as well.’

‘And all those I’m seeing in these memories… they’re so… vile!’

Ahsoka took a deep sigh.

‘So… The Sith Code is useless.’

‘What do I do now?’

Reaching out to the Force, she asked ‘What do I do?’

No clear answers came to her. No clear visions. Nothing to lead her. Except for… some sembles of serenity, coming through to her, calming her a little.

‘Yes…’ she smiled a little.

‘The Force has been with me. It has looked after me.’

‘Very unorthodox, might I add,’ she smirked, looking at her clawed hand, with carapace covering the upper arm.

Focusing again, she settled for the serenity. Any guidance would probably come at its right time.

As the time passed, the radiance of the clear weather, the chill breeze, feeling the life of the Swarm all around her, Ahsoka felt… somewhat content… which was a huge deal to her.

Then, it came to her. She saw it. A vast sea. Light blue skies, with a few clouds. The chirping of seabird-like creatures. Mountains rising up at a cost. The roaring waves against the landmass. Grasslands, stretching for miles inwards. Beauty.

One particular mountain stood out, and as her eyes traveled upwards it, she became aware of a cave entrance. Feeling drawn to it. Called… upon…

Ahsoka blinked her eyes, ‘Did I just see a vision?’ Then she smiled, feeling the anticipation.

She reached out to the hive mind, allowing it to absorb her memories of that vision.

‘You wouldn’t happen to know where that place is, do you?’ she asked it.

‘Meliath System, second planet. Within Zerg Space,’ the answer came to her.

‘Perfect!’

Primary Hive Cluster

Ahsoka found the Queen of Blades near the pool, having a discussion with broodmother Alleria. She stood aside, and waited patiently until they were finished.

“Yes?” Kerrigan turned to Ahsoka after a few minutes, having a knowing smile.

“Your Highness,” the togruta bowed to her, “I need to ask for a favor.”

Chapter Text

“Ready!”…

“Aim!”

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

‘Anakin, I’m so sorry! I failed you!’

*THUMP-THUMP-THUMP*

“Fire!”

Ahsoka jolted as searing burns penetrated her body, with a thundering sensation through her stomach. Not even able to gasp, her head tipped forward, seeing the purple lightsaber sticking out of her abdomen.

Aboard the Leviathan

“GH!”

Ahsoka gasped awake, as the infested togruta often had these last weeks, breathing in a near-state of panic.

‘Open, now!’ she hastily ordered the pod, which let her out of its confinement, and the young adolescent staggered over and fell onto her knees, fighting to steady herself.

Her breath. Her heartbeat. Her swirl of emotions. Everything running wild.

B’Etor and Lursa came running in to the chamber, which lacked the organic doors for privacy, and nuzzled at her with worry, reaching out to her mind through their hive link.

Ahsoka allowed them in, along with multitudes of Zerg creatures reaching out to her, feeling as they ‘lifted’ her up within, feeling their care for their precocious kin, their desire to help her carry her burden.

‘I’ll be okay… I’ll be okay…’ she nudged mentally to the two zerglings in front of her, and to every creature who linked with her.

Taking a deep breath while patting her two companions beneath their jaws, Ahsoka manage to slowly calm herself down.

‘Curse you for what you did to me!’ she swore, against those who had harmed her so much.

Leviathan nerve center
An hour later

They were well under way, and Ahsoka gazed from the Leviathan’s nerve center, across the view ahead of her, as the great titan slowly descended upon the world. Vast landscape of grass. Mountains in the distance. Oceans in the far horizon. She could sense fellow zerg present on this world, including hives. Though the presence was more vague than other worlds. So, most of Meliath II was left unspoiled by the Zerg, then.

Yet, the beauty of the view seized her.

Unspoiled. Natural life. No massive cities. No wars. No destruction.

The feeling was reminiscent of Shili, her home world, when the togruta went through her rites years ago and hunted the Akul, to make her headdress.

‘Definitively a togruta thing,’ Ahsoka smiled to herself.

‘In many ways we do prefer nature over metropolises. Even Corvala intermixes its city-parts with nature.’

Minutes later, Ahsoka had entered an overlord, which gently descended down upon the planet’s surface.

The anticipation. Oh, she was going to enjoy this to the fullest!

Overlords…

‘How is that creature even flying?’ her recent younger confused self had asked, when she looked up the Swarm that day in the Jedi Archives. Now, inside these sacks where she was held tight during the descent, her mind were one with the overlord, its thoughts more complex than many other strains. Complex. Calculated. Guiding. And also two well-known minds in the mix, her two companions, eager to explore and hunt.

A while later, the three found themselves on the surface with the flying creature staying put. The wide-spread grass field ahead of them, tall enough to reach up to her waist.

Swaying back and forth, smoothly in the wind.

B’Etor and Lursa sniffed the air for prey, then ran ahead. Ahsoka remained behind for a moment, looking around her waist, to check that her new belt and pouch on her left hip sat properly. She had made both out of the strong hide of the tangoros they hunted a while ago, and figured they could be useful for this trip.

Then the togruta strolled ahead, taking a sniff of the pure air, feeling the grass grace across her hands.

‘Pure air…’ she enjoyed the sensation.

‘As on Genesis Prime… And Breginan… No even the Temple Gardens on Coruscant can compare.’

‘Worlds not overtaken by industry and technology… Worlds full of life… Worlds so pure…’

‘The Zerg is supreme!’

‘I didn’t get to spend time exploring Naboo the same way… stupid bio-weapon…’

‘How is Naboo, really? I assume they did manage to balance it out like my people did on Shili?’

‘Naboo… Padmé… Anakin…’

‘I wonder how they are doing… Oh Force, I miss them!… So much!… ’

Themomentary sadness grew within.

‘How I wish I could tell them that I am alive… That everything is fine. That they no longer need to mourn. How much I wish I could tell them to move on, and live life their lives to the fullest… But I can’t…’

‘It’s best this way…’

‘And everything is not fine either… I still struggle to sleep… Those nightmares…’

‘But… still… I got Sarah…’

‘Sarah Louise Kerrigan… Queen of Blades… The Jedi and the Republic would have completely lost their mind, if they knew that the Zerg Queen herself was spying right under their very noses. I can still hardly believe it myself.’

‘I guess I just… have adjusted… It’s just the way it is… Life is strange…’

A screech was carried through the oncoming winds, coming from ahead, and Ahsoka smirked gleefully, knowing that her companions had been successful. She approached her two zerglings, already in the process of consuming their prey. A quadrupedal animal, slightly taller than the zerglings, with long neck, snout and antlers. Beige color. Herbivore by the looks. Caught by the predators while eating the grass.

“Found yourself some meat, I see?” Ahsoka smiled at the companions.

Lursa looked up at her, inviting her to partake in their meal as well.

‘Thank you, but I’m not hungry right now, I’m content,’ she conveyed her answer, and the zergling turned back to her meal.

Ahsoka reached out to the Force for direction, and felt drawn towards the mountains at the nearby coast. The same pull that directed them, when the leviathan and the overlord descended upon this world. So the togruta calmly continued her journey, across the grassland, shining bright green in the sunlight while the whole field swayed like waves in the wind. Her two companions caught up to her as soon as they were finished.

Minutes passed into an hour, and the togruta eventually neared the coast, seeing a path ascending ahead of her up the nearby mountain. The ascension began, and after a while, she took a deep breath, feeling the winds in her face, as she beheld the view in front of her, over the vast ocean. Lit with a column of light, as the sun stood tall above.

The singing of the seabirds reaching her montreals. The peaceful rustling of plants near her, swaying in the breeze.

She felt... lightened. The shear beauty of it, reaching out to her, putting her at ease.

Peace.

Even if this journey should be a dead end, the view alone was worth it.

‘I could spend days here, meditating,’ she thought to herself.

‘I’m glad the Swarm conserved the beauty of this world.’

‘You’re welcome,’ she felt the Queen nudge in her head, causing her to roll her eyes in an exasperated smile.

‘Privacy is overrated, anyways.’

Feeling the Force pull gently at her, she turned and continued upwards the increasingly steep path.

It took a while, but she finally came to the top of a rock shelf, and it had a cave entrance. There was a pull towards it, she felt it.

The same cave entrance as in her vision.

‘Here, this is the place.’

‘Lursa, B’Etor. Stay here,’ she commanded her two faithful zerglings. They lied down in front of the entrance, now becoming its guards. Nothing would be allowed to pass, and disturb their mistress in her quest.

The togruta entered, and the cave stooped downwards ahead of her, leading deeply into the mountain. The sunlight from behind didn’t reach far into the cave. There were some illuminating light along the wall, coming from plants growth that had adapted to the darkness. Most people would need flash lights or night vision goggles to see properly ahead. A lightsaber would do as well.

Ahsoka on the other hand, saw perfectly in the dark, her glowing light green eyes perceiving everything around her. She strolled slowly, taking it all in. The plant life casting an illuminating glow. The rock walls… plain regular rock, actually, but it’s ever varying shapes on their surface had a compelling beauty of its own.

Ahsoka could see… everything.

She paused, and looked at the carapace on her right forearm, with its spikes protruding on its outside. A lethal weapon, along with the rest of her body. And she felt… admiration.

True, this path was not what she had wanted at first. But what’s done, is done. The choice was forced upon her. This, or death. And the teenager would have to make the best out of it, and embrace the change. A change that greatly empowered her.

She continued along the cave. Anticipation. The thrill was reminiscent. Almost like… Ilum…

‘I wonder how the younglings are doing.’

‘Katooni, Petro, Zatt, Ganodi, Gungi, Byph… We really had a crazy adventure, didn’t we’ she smiled with sadness, fondly remembering their trip to Ilum, their encounter with… *ugh*… Hondo and his gang… Their flight from Grievous and the Separatists.

‘I hope you’re doing okay.’

A sting of bitterness hit her chest. The Jedi… they would be raised by the Jedi, taught the same ways and dogmas as she had been… would their future contain the same betrayal as well? Or would they grow to become the same hypocrites, blinded by arrogance, sacrificing their own at convenience?

‘Anakin…’ she thought sadly.

‘Will you be able to change them?… No… maybe that’s too much of a stretch. The Council doesn’t trust you that much either, do they?…’

‘Anakin… if you knew… would you even understand my choice? Am I right to leave you in the dark?’

She took a deep breath, and tried to put aside her own sorrow and bitterness.

‘It’s for the best.’

‘Now then,’ Ahsoka looked ahead, ‘Let’s not be soured by the past. Not now.’

And moved on.

The cave eventually flattened out and split into several pathways. Choosing the direction was… actually, quite easy. Ahsoka had no idea what was ahead, but all she needed to do was to reach out to the Force, and move on wherever she felt led to. Besides, the end goal didn’t feel that important to her, the journey itself was a goal enough. The transquility of these caves felt soothing to her. She enjoyed feeling the slight air current that passed by, its coolness caressing her face, wrapping itself around her carapace-covered body.

Despite the Zerg armor covering her, it was pleasing to her that her body still felt everything, when the moment called for it. Such as now.

She felt… at peace.

At least, for now.

A much needed break from her sorrows and emotional turmoils that have been hounding her ever since her rebirth into the Swarm.

‘Feels like Ilum,’ she pondered once more, as she continued on the path that felt right.

‘Does that possibly mean…’

*Hoooh*… *Paaah*…

‘What was that?’ Ahsoka froze in place, standing in her battle stance with her right hand flexing its claws in front of her.

‘I could swear I heard… Was that… a mechanical breathing apparatus?’

She focused on her montreals, and continued reaching out to the Force.

Nothing… Nothing at all…

But the peace was broken. No longer any tranquility.

‘Something is not right…’

The togruta continued along the path, stepping carefully, all her senses fully alert. Whatever it was, could be far ahead into the cave. Her senses were far sharper now than before, and for all she knew, that sound came from miles ahead.

‘Someone or something is here?’

Minutes slowly passed by, and Ahsoka felt it, as she carefully continued on further into the deep cave. Something dark… vile… it was growing before her.

Cold…

Rage…

Fear…

Hatred…

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

Waves of darkness came washing upon her from ahead, increasingly unnerving to her.

Perhaps she should turn-

‘No! I have to continue!’

Moving on, feeling the darkness trying to cleave through her being.

Eventually, her path opened up to a much larger cavern ahead of her. Pitch dark, yet her strong vision could still make out the walls, both close and distant. Cavern pillars around her, as she entered deeper.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

She stepped slowly ahead, keeping her arms and legs ready for any sudden suprises. Looking around. Sniffing the air.

Hearing that mechanical breathing, that kept reaching her montreals. It was echoing along the walls inside this larger cavern.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

The darkness thickened, wanting to choke her.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

She heard steps on the ground, ahead of her.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

She saw a figure, clad in black, come out of the darkness, moving towards her.

The darkness radiated from this person, threatening to consume everything that got engulfed by it.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

It was clad in a black armor, wrapped in capes, and with some sort control panel on its chest.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

The most distinctive was the black mask. Triangular formed breathing grills. Black lenses. And above it was a dome that covered around the head, from left, through the backside, to right.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

Ahsoka felt genuine fear.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

“Who are you?” she growled, her Zerg echoed voice rang through the cavern.

The dark figure remained silent, letting its hatred wave of at her.

“In the name of the Zerg, I command you to answer: Who are you?!” she snarled.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

A hiss of energy echoed around the cavern, as a red lightsaber came to life from its hand, illuminating the nearby ground in deep red light, sounding with a dark hum.

Ahsoka growled even more ferally at the intruder. It strode against her, its boots stomping the ground, with the lightsaber ready to strike. She carefully stepped back, holding her ready stance.

She was in serious trouble. Without a lightsaber of her own, how was she going to fight this one?!

‘I have no choice, my claws alone will have to do! They have to!’

The dark one struck at her, several times, as she dodged gracefully backwards. She let out another snarl. Summoning the Force, she thrust out her hands, and sent a shockwave at the intruder, at which it deflected with its own hand.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

The attacker quickly reached out its hand, and Ahsoka felt a crushing pressure in her throat, trying to gasp to no avail. She was pulled up violently into the air, being shaken around on the way up, before being held still in the air.

‘I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!’ she held on to her throat, before trying to send another Force push at the dark attacker. It caught it with ease, and continued to squeeze the life out of her.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

In quick desperation, Ahsoka reached out to a nearby rock on the ground, and levitated it up into the air, before sending it hurling towards the figure. He was forced to step aside, causing it to lose its hold on the togruta, who fell down onto the ground, and gasped for air.

Snarling at the attacker, she lifted up four large rocks nearby, and hurled them at it. The dark one stepped around and used the Force to deflect the rocks from hitting it.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

Using the distraction, Ahsoka used all her muscles combined with the Force, and pouncesstraight past the dark one in blinding speed. In fast succession, she landed on the nearest cave pillar, latched herself upon its surface with her claws, and launched herself at the attacker, who struggled to turn around fast enough, swiping her claws at the attacker's chest.

Only to be stopped mid air, right in front of it. The intruder held its hand out, having caught her with the Force again, holding her still in the air, right in front of it. And with the lightsaber in its other hand, it struck.

In mere instinct, Ahsoka thrust out her hand and tried to stop the lightsaber from hitting her, with the Force. It instantly slowed to a near-halt, but slowly and shacking, the attacker forced its red weapon closer and closer towards her head. Ahsoka grit her teeth, pushing what she could, while her face met the gaze of the vile mask. The black lenses that spread its hatred and cold everywhere.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

In a last desperate effort, Ahsoka called upon all she could of the Force and pushed at the intruder. It staggered backwards and lost its grip at her, and she fell down while the lightsaber missed her with a mere inch. Ahsoka quickly leapt back several meters, facing towards the attacker, and let out another long growl at the attacker. It stood there still, merely gazing at her, calculating, plotting. Tightening its grip on the lightsaber, prepared.

Nearby rocks began rising up in the air, and the figure stood still, the rocks were hurled at her in high speed. Ahsoka dodged around gracefully, her quick instincts and Force abilities aiding her. But her arsenal was running dry, she needed a weapon to fight this Force-user, badly! Claws were no match against a lightsaber. And now it had turned her remaining means of combat against her, as it hurled all the larger cave rocks at her.

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

Ahsoka was hit by one of the large rocks, which shattered at the impact, while she was tossed back from the impact. Gritting her teeth, as her torso ached from the hit. But the carapace seemed to hold. She quickly bounced up, and dodged another large rock that flew past her and shattered on a pillar behind her.

And then it hit her: the attacker outmatched her Force powers as well.

Who was this guy? How powerful threat was he?!

*Hoooh* *Paaah*

The attacker spread out its arms, and Ahsoka could feel the ground under her shake.

*Crack!*

She looked down to see cracks on the ground, forming and spreading quickly around her, along the ground behind her and in front of her, even reaching the walls. She staggered back as the ground gave away, and she fell.

The cave rumbled intensely around her, as she fell down, and pain coursed throughout her entire body as she was smashed onto the ground, with large rocks landing upon her.

An eerie silence fell upon the cave, as the dust slowly settled all around her. Until Ahsoka moaned, and pushed the large rocks that had left her half-buried, off her body, and rolled herself over in pain.

“That… hurt…” she moaned.

Looking around, and getting her bearings, she could see that the hole above was over forty meters from her. And all the rocks that had hit her were quite large. Quite the fall.

‘I would be dead right now, if it wasn’t for……’

She looked down on her body. The carapace covering her torso seemed banged up, with some of its surface cracked and peeling off. And she felt really, reallybruised. Probably a few broken bones as well.

‘Need to thank Sarah once again, when I get back…’

‘The intruder!’ she remembered, and frantically looked around. Listening with her montreals.

Gone…

She couldn’t feel anything in the Force either. The cave felt as safe as ever.

‘Was it all… A vision?’ she wondered, before slowly moving ahead again, into another pathway to her front, while holding onto her aching body.

‘It felt so real… So… dark… Kriff, I even got thrashed around in the air and choked!’

‘…’

‘Was it a Sith Lord?’

The wounds would take care of themselves, so she continued her journey, albeit slowly and carefully.

The air seemed chill and calming once again, but Ahsoka was not in a mood for relaxing now. Whatever this cave would throw at her, she needed to be ready.

‘Yes, Ilum deluxe,’ she thought dryly.

‘Welcome to the elite level!’

The silence continued, until she heard… felt… singing…

That familiar song, in the Force… one voice… two voices… more voices… forming a choir… Reaching out to her.

Ahsoka’s eyes widened as the cave opened up into a giant chamber, with the walls covered by small lighting crystals. Crystals everywhere.

“Kyber crystals,” she gasped in wonder.

“I’ve never seen so many before…”

They were everywhere!

She closed her eyes and concentrated, having momentarily forgotten the aching pain from her body. Two distinct voices reached to her, and she followed them, one by one. Soon, the togruta found herself with a crystal in each hand, joy all over her face.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “I thought, I…”

B’Etor and Lursa guarded the cave entrance faithfully, as their beloved mistress had commanded. At first they lay there in the calm of the sun, purring as they spent the time resting. However, the two zerglings felt their mistress disappear for a moment, causing them distress, pacing back and forth the cave entrance. And then mistress Tano somehow reappeared again, and it calmed them down a bit.

Now they felt hungry. Without creep to nourish them, they would need to hunt soon. A wild animal near the plains would do nicely, like the previous one. They turned their heads to the cave as they heard Ahsoka approach, and squealed gleefully as they saw their beloved mistress come out in the sun.

Ahsoka was still holding on to her chest, but the pain had lessened. Her body was taking care of itself, and slowly regenerated.

“B’Etor, Lursa, look!” she called giddily out to her two faithful companions, and knelt down in front of them, taking out the kyber crystals from her pouch and showed them.

The two zerglings sniffed at the odd objects, before circling around Ahsoka, eager to walk beside her again.

‘Ahsoka, are you alright?’ she heard the Queen’s voice in her head, with a slight concern.

‘Sarah! Yes, I think so… found kyber crystals’

‘Well done,’ she heard her approval

‘Did you know?’ the togruta asked, beginning a slow descent from this rocky height, taking note of the fantastic view once again.

‘Yes. Meliath II is the only world within in our space that has them. I wanted it to be a surprise, so I kept the information from you.’

‘Really? Well, you got me there,’ Ahsoka grinned happily.

‘This is so great! Awesome!’

‘And yet, I sense there is more…’ Kerrigan added, with a slight worry.

‘Ahsoka, you disappeared from us for a moment there. What happened?’

The togruta stopped in her track, slightly shocked. She had lost her connection to the Swarm?

It must have… happened when… that vision… that fight… she was so preoccupied with her enemy that she didn’t even notice the lost connection.

‘A vision,’ she explained.

‘I met… something… dark… evil… terrifying…’

‘It reeked of the Dark Side. It had a lightsaber, and tried to kill me…’

‘Hmmm… disconcerting…’ Sarah mumbled, as she was now reviewing Ahsoka’s recent memory, having just been integrated with the hive mind.

It may have only been a vision, but Sarah realized as well as Ahsoka, that if this attacker existed, he could be very dangerous.

‘Any clues of who he is?’ the Queen of Blades asked.

‘No,’ Ahsoka shook her head.

‘But I think he is a Sith Lord.’

‘Then perhaps it is about time you construct new lightsabers,’ Sarah said.

“Yes…” Ahsoka agreed, looking down on her hip pouch, stroking it with her hand, having a determined look.

“Yes!”

“I will be ready.”

3 days later

Genesis Prime
Ship graveyard
Inside the Luxury 3000 Space Yacht.

There was the sound of metal pieces clattering on the ground. Again.

Ahsoka groaned a long one. Again.

Her kyber crystal lied in front of her on the floor, along with all the lightsaber components that had just fallen to the ground.

Among them the power cell, blade emitter, emitter matrix, the hilt components, and all other various components needed for the construction. All found in the stores of this yacht and the other nearby cargo ships. All these components, accompanied by a very frustrated, zerg togruta.

‘Problems?’ she heard the Queen of Blades query inside her head.

‘I’ve been at this for two days now!’ Ahsoka groaned.

‘I thought finding all the components I needed would be hard part, but nooo,’ she looked around inside the yacht, full of parts, components and tech. Apparently, Sarah and her agents stored various tech and equipment aboard the cargo ships, should they be needed.

‘I’ve constructed lightsabers before. Twice! But somehow, it doesn’t come together. I don’t even know what I’m doing wrong. And I have instructed younglings in this!’

‘Perhaps the components are not the issue,’ Sarah suggested.

‘Maybe…’

‘Take a break, Ahsoka, perhaps the answer will come to you in time.’

With a deep sigh, the togruta got up from the floor. No use in repeating the same problem.

Evolution Pit

“Hey, Abathur,” she called out to the ancient Zerg, while looking over one of his experimental lurkers, with extra hardened carapace. The gene master was assessing one of his own experiments nearby. A variation of the viper.

“Got any experience with kyber crystals?” she called out to him.

“Kyber crystals. Have great potential,” he spoke with his raspy voice.

“Small, yet contain mass energy. Potentially volatile. Carry great potential for evolving Zerg strains. Enhance zergling claws, or ultralisk kaiser blades. Enhance carapace. Endurance. Metabolism. Enhance yield and lethality of banelings.”

“Hey, they are living things, too, not just tools,” Ahsoka frowned, “They are alive in the Force.”

Although, she snorted mentally as well. A zergling with lightsaber claws protruding from its back? That would be both hilarious and terrifying at once.

“Hmm… Biomass not present in crystals. Unlike Swarm. Different form of life. Not relevant.”

“Not relevant?” Ahsoka raised an eye brow.

“Don’t we Zerg seek to evolve and enhance ourselves in all ways possible? Even the different form of life, from a kyber crystal, could show us new ways to improve ourselves. Think of it, a symbiosis between us and them.”

“Hmm,” Abathur responded, mulling it over.

“Although,” Ahsoka spoke, “why haven’t I seen any strains enhanced with kyber crystals? Sounds like you already have made experiments with them.”

“Limited availability,” the ancient Zerg explained.

“Can not be grown or increased by Swarm. Only found on second world of Meliath System. Can be fused with strains, but not spawned. Not enough kyber crystals present for sustainability. Swarm can not rely. Must evolve without them. Only when sustainable source is present, can Swarm use kyber crystals in strains.”

“Frustrating,” he added.

“Yeah, I guess so,” the togruta sighed.

She took out one of the crystals from her pouch, looking at it, laying there in her clawed hand.

‘A symbiosis between us and them… that would have been awesome…’

“I guess both you and me are at a loss here, Abathur. You can’t use it to enhance the Swarm, while I can’t even build a single lightsaber. No matter what I try, I just can’t get it together…”

“It wasn’t a problem before…”

‘So what am I doing wrong?…’

“Any ideas?”

“Hmm…” Abathur looked into the hive mind, looking through Ahsoka’s recent memories of her failures.

“Organism Tano, trying to construct weapon by past known means…” he analyzed.

“Means appear no longer suitable for current organism Tano. Only clue derivable, organism Tano attempts constructing weapon mechanically. Mechanical weapons not used by Swarm, except through infestation. Implication, new means required.”

“New means?!” Ahsoka nearly exclaimed, “There are no other known ways on how to build a lightsaber! Or on how to use a kyber crystals for that matter!”

‘Perhaps except through bombs?’ she wondered to herself.

“No clear alternatives known,” Abathur concluded, before returning to his current experiment.

Ahsoka let out a frustrated sigh, before looking over the experimental lurker in front of her again, in wonder, it looking curiously back at her. She had to give Abathur some credit, the gene master knew what he was doing in this chamber.

Lurkers… Evolved from hydralisks. Arachnid in appearance. Burrows into the ground and unleashes a torrent of spikes at unsuspecting enemies. This experiment was with hardened armor.

As for the lightsabers… she would probably have to settle for the frustrated longing. Things just didn’t work out. Maybe the gene master was right… it didn’t fit with her zerg nature. So what then?

‘No, no, no, not what you imagine,’ she heard professor Huyang’s voice in her memories, tutoring Gungi, the wookie youngling.

‘But what you feel in your hand.’

She pondered the words…

‘What I feel in my hand…’

Her gaze meeting the eyes of the creature in front of her.

‘Symbiosis…’

‘New means…’

‘Zerglings with ligthsaber-claws,’ she chuckled again.

‘Unless…’ she froze, as her eyes widened, while the idea formed in her head.

Next day
Evolution Pit

It had taken Abathur a few quick iterations of the new creatures, before they possessed the capabilities Ahsoka required. But the process was relatively quick before Abathur was satisfied with his work. The gene master laid the small creatures bare, in front of the infested togruta, who went down on her knees to study the creatures closely.

They were two. They lied open, with their soft insides lying bare. Their lengths were about the same as regular lightsabers. A little less on their width, and they sported thin long curled-up tails at their ends.

Ahsoka looked at the new creatures in wonder, thinking of their given purpose.

“Strains now ready for testing,” Abathur spoke, “Kyber crystals required.”

Ahsoka slowly put her hand into her pouch, and brought out her two kyber crystals.

‘I can’t believe this…’ she thought to herself, ‘We’re actually doing it!’

The togruta sat down in meditative position, like she had done in the past when constructing her previous lightsabers. She reached out to the crystals, feeling their beating pulses in the Force, before reaching out to Abathur’s new creations, connecting with them through both the hive mind and the Force. Touching their own minds. Simple, yet with purpose, as they reached back to her and connected.

They were one. One in mind, and one through the Force. And Ahsoka allowed the crystals to slowly hover above the creatures, and descend slowly onto the white center of their soft inside. The creatures responded as the crystals touched them, and slowly enveloped around them, becoming cylinder-shaped with carapace covering their outsides.

‘Symbiosis!’

Ahsoka slowly reached out to grab them with her hands, and the creatures let out small but satisfied shrills, as their long thin tails enveloped Ahsoka’s forearms, and fastened themselves onto her.

The togruta let out her breath in anticipation, and savored the moment, as she slowly rose up and stared at the creation in her hands, before lifting them above her head, with one simple command.

‘Ignite!’

Two purple blades flashed to life, giving off a distinct hum of their own, and Ahsoka looked at them in amazement, grinning wildly. Packs of zerg creatures were all around them, as they had been present to witness what was being created. Zerglings, including B’Etor and Lursa, her beloved pets. Hydralisks. Roaches. Even an ultralisk watching from a distant tunnel. Now they all squeeled and roared in triumph, as the thrilled togruta kept staring at the two new purple-lighted blades above her head.

Cytheria stood there among the present packs, and clapped her hands wildly as she witnessed what Ahsoka had just achieved.

‘The first organic lightsabers, in the history of the Zerg Swarm,’ the Queen of Blades declared through the hive mind, her pride evident.

‘You and Abathur have created something entirely new. Well done, Ahsoka.’

‘Thank you, your Majesty,’ Ahsoka replied.

‘Hmm… now, how to do this… Deactivate!’

And the two organic lightsabers heeded her command, and extinguished the two purple blades, before Ahsoka hung them to the new lightsaber clips she had made on her belt, made of the strong tangoros hide.

“Strain saberlings,” Abathur declared, “Creates and controls intense bioelectricity. Channels the bioelectricity through kyber crystals, generating intense plasma energy. Guide the plasma energy output. Achieve same function as mechanical lightsabers, as requested by organism Tano.”

“Saberslings? That’s not a proper name for my two new living sabers,” Ahsoka objected, “They’re alive, you know. They even have feelings!”

She patted her hands upon the two living sabers, hanging unto her belt.

“I shall give you proper names. You shall be… Uno, and Uto.”

“Unclear…” Abathur mumbled, before turning away to his next project, while the remaining Zerg creatures came closer to look and sniff upon the new creations, before they preceded to nudge affectionately onto them and Ahsoka, who could not stop grinning.

A few hours later
Outskirts of Primary Hive cluster.

Ahsoka was moving through her katas, with both her lightsabers ingited. Her congregation from earlier were her audience, having eagerly followed her out of Abathur’s cave to witness her training.

The giddy togruta still couldn’t stop grinning. She felt whole… or “whole-ier” in lack of a better description.

‘I really missed this!… I didn’t notice because of everything that has happened… but now… I really missed this!’

Going through step by step of her training katas, holding one blade in a reverse Shien grip, and the other in front of her like she did with her shoto. Except changes required her to go more slowly through her katas. Two full blades now, not one shorter shoto. Not to mention that her reinforced body was heavier than before.

‘Hmm… I might have to retrain some of my moves. Or maybe I can shorten one of them, making it like a shoto?… Nah… doesn’t feel right…’

And so she continued to practice, slowly but steadily, for hours.

“I see you’re back at where you belong,” Kerrigan spoke, as she approached the scene.

“Only just started!” Ahsoka declared.

‘With this body, I can keep this going for a very long time!’

“It suits you,” the Queen commented, “A Force-user with her lightsabers back in hand.”

“I didn’t even realize how much I missed this!”

“Then… how about a proper challenge?” the Queen smirked.

Only now did Ahsoka notice the hilt the Queen was holding in her own hand.

“Wait, is that…?”

Sarah lifted her arm towards Ahsoka, for her to see. It was reminiscent of a lightsaber, although the hilt had a dark color, and was more ellipse-shaped, than circular.

Then she activated it, and a dark green energy blade ignited, reaching the same length as a regular lightsaber. Its hum was much more darker than typical for a lightsaber. The energy blade itself had a flat shape, rather than circular, and small beams of light green pulsed occasionally through it, out from the hilt.

“What kind of blade is that? It looks a bit different,” Ahsoka asked, then she reached out with the Force.

“It feels a lot different! I don’t feel the Force the same way from it, like I do from lightsaber crystals.”

“This is a warp blade,” the Queen explained, “There is no kyber crystal in it. This particular one is constructed with Xel’naga components. Still, it works the same way, and is equally deadly.”

“So, a duel then,” Ahsoka smirked, “Last time, I beat you. And now you have made me much stronger.”

“Oh, you don’t even know what you are up against,” the Queen of Blades grinned, before moving into her stance.

“Don’t forget that Louise Raynor was just a cover. You’re facing Sarah Kerrigan now!”

And Ahsoka widened her eyes as she saw the stance. Kerrigan wasn’t standing with her warp blade carefully in front of her, like her human alterego had in their past. The Queen of Blades, with her legs spread, held one free hand on front of her, with two fingers raised, and the other with her blade raised behind her shoulder, pointing it towards Ahsoka.

‘Soresu!’ Ahsoka recognized. Form III.

“Now come at me, Ahsoka!”

Realizing the implications of what she saw, Ahsoka calmed herself, and reached out to the Force, to get a feel for her opponent, while holding her sabers in a diagonal crossing in front of her. Similar to what she had seen from Asajj Ventress.

Feeling through the Force, she sensed the subtle warning: Do not take the Queen lightly. At all!

And she leapt at the Queen, with the sabers crashing onto each other. Her Zerg muscles had greatly improved her strength, yet they ended up with a lock, with Kerrigan giving no way.

After a brief moment, with the crackling sound of their blades onto each other, they broke of from each other. Ahsoka then resumed her attacks, and landed strike upon strike at Kerrigan, using all her past training, combined with her new strength and speed. Her enhancements would have given most senior Jedi a run for their money. Masters as well. It would have beaten Louise Raynor in no time. And yet, Sarah Kerrigan countered all her attacks perfectly, as she kept her body moving around while Ahsoka attacked, staying true to Form III.

‘How is this possible?!’

‘This is going to be tricky. If this keeps up… I need to find an opening before I tire out!’

‘Hey, wait a minute. I don’t tire out that fast anymore. And neither does she!’

“Quite correct, Ahsoka,” Sarah spoke, as she kept defending herself.

“Soresu is perfect for zerg like you and me. We can endure far longer than most. Although, you do have a point, since we could be stuck like this for the entire day. And that’s no fun, is it?”

Ahsoka felt a sudden warning through the Force, and she leapt away, just as the Queen of Blades attacked with her left bone-wing, and barely missed the togruta, who made distance between the two.

“Rule number one, Ahsoka!” Sarah called out to her

“My enemies cheat all the time!” Ahsoka answered back, standing in ready position.

“You’ve learned, good!”

“You also said you got more dirty tricks up your sleeve,” Ahsoka added.

“You mean like this?” the Queen said, as she launched out a psionic energy blast at her with her free hand, which Ahsoka easily parried with her lightsabers.

And suddenly, the Queen pounced at her with her warp blade in a back-hand grip.

‘Hey, that’s-!’ Ahsoka widened her eyes, as she struggled to block a series of fast and powerful strikes from Sarah, now holding her weapon in a reverse grip.

‘Form V!’

The torgruta felt frustrated and alarmed, as she moved quickly to block against Kerrigan’s back-hand strikes.

“Djem So. You like the reverse grip, right?” the Queen taunted her, as she hammered on Ahsoka, with purple sparks crackling around her body, using her psionic energies to enhance her attack strength and speed.

Despite her own brute strength, Ahsoka was forced back from the powerful blows, before she called upon the Force to strengthen herself, and better counter Kerrigan’s attacks.

“Although,” the Queen flipped her warp blade around, pointing it forward while holding it with two hands.

“I think I prefer the same style as Anakin,” she said, and resumed her attacks, now with even more power, with purple electric energy sparking around her body.

‘Kriff!’ Ahsoka gritted her teeth, and found herself on a desperate defense against the onslaught of the Queen.

The togruta clung upon the Force as the fight continued on, and somehow, she slowly but surely began to read Sarah’s attacks. She began to discern a pattern in her attacks, perhaps one that she could exploit.

Only for Kerrigan to jump back for a quick moment, and change her stance. Now holding her warp blade in one hand, with her feet in a line.

‘Great, now what?’ Ahsoka thought in exasperation, before Sarah began to attack her with more elegant moves, trying to simply bypass her defenses. Only thanks to her own incredibly fast reflexes, aided with the Force, did she narrowly dodge several attacks and stabs.

‘Form II, Makasashi!’ Ahsoka realized, ‘How does she know all this?!’

After several minutes of their exchanges, Ahsoka leapt away, and unleashed a Force push at Kerrigan, trying to get some space and buy herself time. The shockwave forced the Queen of Blades back a few meters, before she responded with a concentrated energy blast, using both her hands. Ahsoka was forced to leap away, while the powerful blast left a small crater.

“Use all your abilities, Ahsoka!” she called out, before she pounced at the Togruta with a powerful blow, leaving their blades locked.

Then the Force rang the warning bells in her again, as Kerrigan charged psionic energy in both her hands, and with a increasing scream, she unleashed a shockwave, at which Ahsoka quickly had to jump away from, using all her strength, speed and Force powers to avoid. The blast left quite the crater.

Then the Queen quickly attacked her, moving and jumping around the togruta in high speed, attacking her with quick strikes, while purple sparks crackled around her body.

‘Oh now what?! Is that Form IV, Ataru?!?’

After an hour of intense dueling, where Kerrigan had changed between her forms, and attacked the togruta Force-user relentlessly, Ahsoka now sat on a large rock nearby, panting and worn out. Her body was fine… well mostly… if you ignore the lacerations and burns on her surface carapace, found on several places over her body. If Sarah had gone in for the kill, she would be dead by now. Aside from that, her body was fine, while her mind was a complete jumbled mess from the entire fight.

“You fight well,” Sarah sat down beside her, “Although, you need to practice your Jar’Kai. You’re not used at having two full-length lightsabers, and you need to relearn a bit on how you utilize your body properly. You’re much stronger, but also a lot heavier.”

“How do you… How do you do it?! You don’t even use the Force,” the infested togruta panted.

“I recall you asking that same question the first time I heckled with you,” the Queen smirked gleefully at the exhausted teenager.

“If you say ‘I’m damn good’ again, I swear I gonna smack you up with…! With…!”

“With what? You barely held on,” Sarah retorted.

“Besides, didn’t Anakin tell you back then that there is more to fighting than just the Force?”

“Oh brother…” Ahsoka huffed.

“But, there is truth to what you say, about being a Force-user,” the elder zerg began to explain.

“The Force gives you great power, and makes you one hell of a lightsaber-fighter. As for me… I actually do use the Force, just in a different way.”

Ahsoka looked up at her.

“What?” she breathed out.

“I don’t use the Force directly, like you do. As you know, my powers are psionicly based. Whenever I face a Force-user, whether it’s Jedi or Sith, I connect to their minds, and “read” the Force through them. I see what they see, I feel their senses.”

“And this brain,” Sarah tapped on her own head, “is probably the most highly developed brain you’ll ever come across. When I’m ‘in the zone’, I read and process their connection to the Force incredibly fast. And in addition, their own thoughts, plans, intentions, and so on.”

“I’m starting to get a headache by thinking about it,” Ahsoka groaned, putting her head into her hands.

“Evolve your brain a bit over the next five hundred years, and you don’t have to worry about headaches,” the Queen mocked.

“And you can do this, without them knowing it?”

“Psionic powers and Force powers operate at - how should I put it? - ‘Different frequencies’. Usually I get through without being noticed. I do suspect, however, that some might notice, if they use their Force powers in special ways to guard their minds.”

“But just because I read the Force through them, doesn’t mean I have their powers. And somewhere out there, there might probably be an aspiring Jedi… or Sith… whose powers may cause me serious trouble. If what I suspect about Darth Vitiate is correct, then he would have been a dangerous enemy for even me to fight.”

“Who’s Darth Vitiate?” Ahsoka asked.

“We only have bits and pieces of information,” Kerrigan explained, “that the Swarm has collected from the remnants of the ancient Sith Empire. Vitiate was apparently an emperor of his time. Thousands of years ago. Of all the names we have come across, he seems to have been the most dangerous one. Exactly how dangerous, I don’t know…”

“Just as well,” Ahsoka shrugged, before petting Lursa and B’Etor. They had come to her, and began snuggling at her lap.

“But how do you know all the lightsaber forms? I haven’t exactly heard of any Jedi teaching the Queen of Blades before.”

“You’re not the first Jedi to enter Zerg space,” Kerrigan pointed out.

“We have had Jedi over before. Intruding, either accidentally or on purpose. I had them captured. I approached them, forced myself upon their minds, read them and stole all the knowledge they had. Then wiped their memories of our encounter, and had them sent back to Republic space.”

“And the Council didn’t react?” Ahsoka asked.

“Oh, the Council knew something was up, alright. Although I think the many ships over the years, whose crews got infested, left a lasting impression on both Jedi and Republic alike.”

“We’ve also come across a lot of knowledge, including holocrons, over the centuries. It is all available for you, through the hive mind.”

“Don’t you need the Force to open them?” Ahsoka queried.

“Thanks to you, I don’t have to pry them open by using my psionic powers as a crowbar,” Kerrigan answered.

“Oh, you mean to say that you man-handled them?” the togruta asked with slight exasperation.

“Well, a bit. I can force them open, but not without the risk of damaging or breaking them. But now that you are with us, I will defer to your expertise from now on.”

“That’s reassuring,” Ahsoka muttered.

“So, you knew automatically everything about how to fight with sabers, then? Sounds kind of like cheating.”

“Oh, I had to practice as well,” the Queen smirked, “although, I had my ways to set that up. And more than four hundred years.”

“Nevertheless, I encourage you to use the knowledge we have acquired, Ahsoka. Let them become one with your mind.”

“And…” the Queen rose up, “I will teach you everything I know about lightsaber combat. Today was our first lesson. We have years ahead of us to shape you into a lethal warrior, worthy of the Zerg Swarm.”

“Great!” Ahsoka lifted her hands in a mock gesture, “Can I go and lie down, now?”

“Tsk! Sure, go right ahead… lazy…” the Queen mockingly scoffed, before walking away, shaking her own head in amusement.

‘You will do fine,’ she thought fondly.

Raxus Secundus, CIS capital world

Three weeks after Ahsoka’s lightsabers were created

Professor Kagdael Numonian walked through The Free People’s Historical Museum of Raxus (formerly known just as Raxus Historical Museum). The muun was looking over all the artifacts gathered over the years, as was his morning routine, before work. Or his morning “ritual”, as some of his colleagues joked about. Perhaps they were right, the professor did enjoy beholding the fruits of their labor, achieved by him and his colleagues in the archaeological team.

All the historical artifacts, telling a deep history of them own, for everyone to study and learn from. Telling the tales of what was, and one day might be.

And yet, his morning walk had been a somber one, lately. The corrupt Republic stole away many of the artifacts to Coruscant before the war broke out. Hoping that they would be returned was perhaps a bit too much of a stretch, even when the war began, but as long as they won their independence, they…

Numonian was a stout Separatist, but lately he feared the war was unwinnable, in spite of Count Dooku’s reassurances, and the heroic sacrifices of the separatist fighters.

They needed a miracle, to turn the war around to their favor again. If only-

“What the-?!” a shout snapped him out of his somber thoughts, and he saw a startled museum worker lying on the floor, panting as he stared at artifact sample AVL-37, shaped as a box, now giving of a strong red radiant light along its decorative patterns.

“What did you do?!” the muun professor hurried over, staring bewildered at the artifact, even feeling heat dissipating from it.

“Nothing, I was just cleaning off the surface before we open!” the human frantically replied.

“Fascinating…” Numonian let out his breath in wonder, studying the glowing cuboid.

“Bring this artifact to the laboratory, I must study it!”

Next day

“Professor Numonian, I presume?”

Count Dooku entered the now closed-off museum, with all the staff present to receive their beloved Head of State. He shook the hand of the renown professor of archaeology.

“Count Dooku, I thank you for taking your time to come here today.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm and support for our ongoing war effort, but know that I am a very busy man, so this better be important.”

“I think you will agree to the importance of this meeting, after seeing what we have found,” the professor nodded eagerly.

“Very well, then, lead on.”

The professor personally led the Count throughout the museum hallways, followed by the two magnaguard droids responsible for Dooku’s safety.

Entering the museum laboratory, seeing many artifacts connected to a various amount of testing equipment, one stood out among them. A box-shaped artifact glowing red along its decorative patterns, surrounded by scanning equipment. Along with a female human with a white lab coat near it, her brown hair in a pony tail.

She turned around to see the Count approaching.

“Oh!” her eyes widened, apparently unprepared for a visit of this magnitude.

“I think I have seen you before,” the Count gave a courteous smile, “Doctor Yuel, from Raxus’s Energy & Physics department, am I correct?”

“Uh, yes, sir!” she nodded awkwardly.

“And I presume this artifact is the cause of all your local ruckus?” he asked, looking at the glowing cuboid.

‘Hmm, interesting… I can sense the Dark Side within it…’

“Well, yes, the energy it’s omitting,” the physics professor began explaining, “W-We’re still in the preliminary testing phase, but so far, it seems that it contains energy at least twice the amount we store in our energy canisters. The better ones, I mean.”

She handed a data pad over to Dooku, with a brief summary of their findings so far.

“Hmm…” the Count raised an eye brow.

“And what is it you propose?”

“Well, yes,” professor Yuel said, “if we could harness the energy from that cuboid, and more like it, there could be a large number of applications that we-”

“Weapons,” professor Numonian bluntly interrupted her.

“If we could harness the power of this specific artifact, and others like it,” he continued, standing in front of the artifact himself, gesticulating his long, slender arm above it as he spoke, “we could use it to improve our own weapons. Professor Yuel mentioned that it contains at least twice as much energy per mass, compared to our own best energy canisters.”

The muun turned to Count Dooku.

“We could improve the yield of our weapons, or increase the canister longevity before they need to be replaced.”

“An interesting proposal,” Dooku said, holding his chin in thought.

“I must admit, I would have expected this kind of idea presented in a war council, not in the laboratory of a museum,” he added in jest.

“I may not look like it,” Numonian chuckled, “no, war is not in my taste. But if we lose against the Republic, we will lose everything.”

“Then let ut ensure that we remain on the path to victory. Now, tell me more about this artifact. Where was it found?”

“I have looked over all the information I have available. It was excavated from the fourth planet in the Avalon system, over 60 years ago. A temperate world, with a vast network of temples found on the southern hemisphere.”

“Temples, you say?” Count Dooku asked, his interest growing further.

“The archaeologists at the time believed them to be remnants after the Sith Empire fell a thousand years ago. Although they were able to date the temples to at least three thousand years old. Apparently, it held significance to the ancient Sith Empire. There were plans for more excavations, but neither the local government of Raxus or the Republic were willing to fund another expedition to a world so far out. And sadly, the archaeologists didn’t trust private companies at the time. Which may or may not have been the right call.”

“Avalon system, you say? Hmm… I know I have heard that name before…” Count Dooku pondered.

“Yes, this is where it gets complicated,” Numonian said, before handing over another data pad.

Count Dooku frowned as he read it, before giving the muun professor a disbelieving stare.

“Are you serious?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid I am,” Numonian nodded gravely, “and I am willing to go there myself, if you’re willing to support such an expedition.”

“I must commend your bravery, professor, but this request of yours will require me to dedicate military forces for your protection. Forces that are needed on the front!”

“But think of the possibilities!” professor Yuel exclaimed, causing Numonian to roll his eyes at her outburst.

“All we can do with such energy! Look at the numbers!”

“Tact, Yuel, tact,” the archaeologist hissed at her, while Count Dooku merely raised his eye brow at the physics professor, before turning to Numonian again.

“I will consider your request. I am leaving Raxus in an hour, so have all your findings sent to my flagship, I will study them closely.”

Count Dooku’s flagship
Next day

Avalon IV… Sith temples… an artifact coming alive, meaning something more could be stirring in those temples… power that they could capture.

An artifact radiating with the Dark Side of the Force.

And the initial numbers looked promising, so far. But would the possible reward outweigh the risk, Count Dooku wondered, as he studied the findings. It would certainly be an advantage for his forces, if Yuel’s assumptions were proven correct. She seemed a bit too eager for his taste, but from what she knew about the physics professor, she was no slouch.

And he sensed that something was stirring through the Force, as he meditated on the issue. After making his decision, the Count walked over to the communicator on the bridge, and opened a channel.

“Professor Numonian,” he greeted the archaeologist.

“Count Dooku,” the muun bowed, eagerly awaiting his reply.

“I have looked over your findings, and have decided that an expedition to the Avalon system is worth the risk. Given that your artifact came alive only recently, I suspect that there may indeed be more secrets to be unearthed at those temples, that otherwise would be hidden. Gather the best experts you have available, you will leave in two days. I will see to it that you have proper military escort for this operation.”

“I am humbled,” the professor bowed his head in gratitude, “I thank you very much, Count Dooku.”

“Good day, professor,” Count Dooku finished the call.

“Get me Z’ahan, at once!” he ordered the droids on the bridge.

Within minutes, a man clothed in black robes, with nothing but his eyes and nose ridge visible, entered the bridge, and knelt before Count Dooku.

“Thy bidding, Master?” he asked, with a lowered voice.

Dooku smiled. His new apprentice was quick to the point, a trait he could respect.

“Z’ahan, rise,” he ordered, and the assassin did so.

“Not just the seventh, but eighth Jedi killed as well?”

“Two Jedi at once, it was unexpected. But I slew them, nonetheless.”

“Be cautious, apprentice,” Dooku warned.

“The Jedi Council will have taken note of your kills by now, and be on alert. You might find your next assassination… more difficult.”

“They will fall by our hands,” Z’ahan retorted.

“Yes, but only with proper preparation and foresight. Do not rush in so blindly, my apprentice, or lest you will fall.”

“Now then,” the master walked over to the communicator, and brought up a holomap.

“I have a task for you, which I fear may be to your slight distaste.”

Coruscant
Jedi Council Chambers
Next day

“… Prepare the best experts you have available, you will leave in two days. I will see to it that you have proper military escort for this operation.”

Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with the rest of the Jedi Council, half of them participating remotely, were watching as the recorded transmission played off in front of them.

“I am humbled. I thank you very much, Count Dooku.”

“Good day, professor.”

They took a few moments to gather their thoughts, before Master Windu spoke up.

“This communication was intercepted by our operative at Raxus. Initially, we did not expect him to contact us this early, just the risk alone is too much.”

“Putting his own mission in jeopardy?” Kit Fisto mused.

“He wouldn’t do this unless it’s important for us to know,” Depa Billiba argued.

“So, Count Dooku is sending an expedition to a remote system, with military escort,” Obi-Wan Kenobi summarized, “I’m not familiar with the Avalon system. What do we know about it?”

Master Windu brought up information on a data pad he held, and his trademark frown increased more and more, as he read through.

‘Well, that doesn’t look good,’ Obi-Wan thought dryly, seeing his fellow council member frown more than usual.

“The fourth planet. There is a large network of temples on the southern hemisphere. Remnants of the Sith Empire,” Windu answered.

“That doesn’t sound good,” master Kenobi said, exasperated, “But why a military escort?”

“Obi-Wan,” Windu gave a worried look at his fellow Jedi.

“It’s in Zerg space. The Swarm claimed the planet about 50 years ago.”

A palpable silence followed, in the Council chambers.

“How far in?” asked Ki-Adi-Mundi.

“Several hundred parsecs beyond the border,” Windu looked at the coordinates, “It’s further than our previous excursions, but I don’t think it’s too deep in their territory. It’s accessible from the borders with a well-calculated jump.” [1]

“Dooku is taking a risk by sending an armed expedition to Zerg Space,” Shaak Ti’s holo-image remarked.

“Investigate this, we must!” Master Yoda spoke, “For a reason, this professor he sends! If Sith Temples he gains access to, grave danger there may be, if they find more artifacts. Active they now may be.”

“I agree,” Windu nodded, before looking over at Obi-Wan.

“Obi-Wan, take Skywalker with you, and find out what this professor is up to.”

“Anakin?” Obi-Wan asked, with some surprise.

“It may not be that easy,” he sighed, “While he has resumed his duties, and is eager as ever to fight the Separatists, I struggle at speaking with him. He refuses to see me or listen to anything I try to say to him. I’m not sure he-”

“This farce has to stop!” Mace Windu burst out in a rare display of emotion. The Council looked at the Jedi Master in stunned silence, while he took a deep breath to calm himself.

“We need for Skywalker to follow our lead, now. It’s been over four months, he needs to let go and move on!”

Obi-Wan stared at Windu, with a tinge of sadness. And hidden, calm fury.

He cast a quick look at the empty seat to the right of Windu. Plo Koon’s seat. The Kel Dor Master was on extended leave, and they did not know when he would return.

“He will not listen to me,” Obi-Wan stated calmly.

“Make him listen,” Windu implored.

‘You don’t understand…’ Obi-Wan almost glared at his counterpart.

“This is war, master Kenobi,” Ki-Adi-Mundi broke into their argument, with his calm voice.

“We are Jedi. To allow one self to be in such a strife with the superiors, is an act most unbefitting of a for any of us. If Skywalker does not fulfill his duty properly like he should, innocent people will die.”

“Like we let Ahsoka die?” Obi-Wan replied bitterly.

Windu and several other Jedi Masters let out an exasperated sigh.

“We’ve already discussed this! What’s done is done, we need to move on.”

“Enough!” Yoda stomped his stick on the floor, sending a reprimanding look at both Obi-Wan and Mace.

“Go to Avalon, you will, Master Kenobi. Discover Dooku’s intentions, you must. And take Skywalker with you.”

The meeting was adjourned, and the Jedi Masters were leaving, one by one.

Obi-Wan stepped over to the window, and looked out at the city of Coruscant, needing to gather his thoughts.

“Obi-Wan,” he heard Windu step over to him.

“We need to let go. You need to let go of your own guilt.”

Kenobi responded by a mere stare at the other Jedi.

‘Is it really that simple? Just let go of your own guilt, and move on, as if nothing ever happened? Is that what you keep telling yourself, after you impaled her with your own lightsaber?!’

“And you need to get through to Skywalker. I’ve been hearing some disturbing rumors about him and Senator Amidala. Get some sense into him. Remind him of his duties, before it gets worse!”

“I will do… what I can…” Obi-Wan spoke slowly, while keeping his emotions in check.

Windu gave him a last look, before moving on.

“Obi-Wan,” master Yoda walked over to him, with sadness in his voice.

“A grave mistake we did, with Padawan Tano. Change the past, we cannot.”

“Grave mistake?!” Obi-Wan blurted out.

“We just sat there in the gallery, and let it happen! If anyone of us… If I… had helped Anakin, we could have caught Barriss before it was too late. But we didn’t. I didn’t.”

‘I sent her to her death!’

He sighed.

“The Council chided Anakin for continuing his ‘futile’ search, and yet he cleared Ahsoka’s name. Only too late… And has the Republic, or any of us even apologized to him or Padmé? Has anyone of us even tried to make amendments, of any kind?”

No, they hadn’t. Just simply moved on. Like proper model Jedi.

“Well, I know I have tried. So many times now, and he still refuses to even see me.”

‘He practically hates me, now. And Padmé… never had I thought that she could give such cold glares.’

“Get through to him, you must,” Yoda simply stated, looking out the window with a sad look of his own.

“Terrible it is, what we did… But…”

“If the chosen one, he is, remain like this, he cannot. Find a way to let go, we all must… And an apology, I do owe him too,” he finished, before slowly walking away.

“Apologize I will… help him to move one, we must… A terrible act, we did…”

Obi-Wan let out a sigh. Everything was falling apart. For the first three months, Anakin was a complete wreck, full of spite against the Council. Against him. Becoming a drunkard was all that remained for his former Padawan, if he intended to go full circle (fortunately, he didn’t).

Not that he blamed him. Anakin and Padmé was hit hard by Ahsoka’s death, and they mourned her. The Council was willing to give him some berth for a few weeks, until they kindly reminded the younger Jedi to let go of his attachments, and resume his duties. Instead, they were met with more rebellion and defiance.

Anakin’s refusal to go on assignments, or do any bidding of the Council, had – believe or not – infuriated several Jedi Council members. Even the ever-detached Ki-Adi-Mundi was thrown off balance.

Many Jedi, especially among the younger generation, were appalled by how the Council had dealt with Ahsoka, after the truth came out, and a rift was forming within the Order. Of course, the Council blamed Anakin for this. Instead of being stubborn and rebellious, they thought he should have set a proper example for the rest, and move on.

As for Obi-wan… Anakin refused to speak with him, even acknowledge him. Same with Padmé. Never had he received such cold treatment from the Senator before. Understandably so, though it still felt very difficult.

Also, Anakin and Padmé had become increasingly reckless over the last few weeks, and the rumor mill was on full fire. They had stopped caring about hiding their attachment to each other.

Only a month ago did Anakin resume his duty on the war front, by the pleading of the Chancellor himself. Anakin didn’t blame Palpatine for formally overseeing Ahsoka’s trial, so he let the elderly man get a pass, eventually. Resuming his place in the war probably helped the Jedi Knight unwind a lot, yet at the same time, it further increased the tension between him and the Jedi Council, since he was taking orders directly from the Chancellor, bypassing them completely.

And deep down, Obi-Wan feared that he had completely lost Anakin, and there was nothing he could do now. Would he leave the Order when the war was over?

‘I have to try…’

As for the mission…

‘Zerg Space…’ he thought dryly, thinking of the new assignment.

‘Well, at least Ahsoka was spared that fate.’

‘Ahsoka… I failed you. I failed you all. I am so… sorry…’

Kerrigan’s Leviathan
In orbit over Genesis Prime

“You summoned me, Your Highness?” Ahsoka knelt to Kerrigan, as she reached the nerve center of the Queen’s leviathan.

“I have need of your expertise,” Sarah said.

“Expertise? Go on?”

The Queen of Blades motioned for her to close her eyes, and the infested togruta did so. Images from the hive mind reached her. She saw a lush planet, covered with oceans, mountains, and wide-spread forests. Several patches of land was also covered by creep. So, a world claimed by the Zerg.

‘This is Avalon IV,’ Sarah explained.

‘Something is stirring up at the temples on the southern hemisphere.’

Ahsoka watched as the images moved on to a network of temples. A huge network, spreading out for miles.

‘We’ve lost our connection with the Zerg nearest to the temples, including a few hive clusters.’

‘What happened?’ Ahsoka asked.

‘We don’t know, yet. But we sensed briefly that something has stirred inside the temples.’

‘How may I serve?’

‘The temples were built by the ancient Sith Empire thousands of years ago. Hence, this is your field of expertise.’

‘I’m no expert on the Sith Empire!’ Ahsoka objected.

‘No, but all I need is an expert on the Force’

‘Oh, right.’

“I want you to go there,” Kerrigan spoke as they pulled out of the images and opened their eyes.

“Find out what is going on, find out what happened to our Zerg. And if possible, shut down whatever is happening at those temples. If you deem it too dangerous, then evacuate any nearby hive clusters, while I determine our next course of action.”

“Oh, and, don’t get corrupted,” she added, causing a deadpanned stare from Ahsoka.

“No kriff, really?” she snipped back.

“Broodmother Kestra is responsible for the broods living in the Avalon system. She will aid you. Meet her on the surface.”

“As you decree, my Queen,” Ahsoka bowed, before turning to leave.

“Oh, and Ahsoka?” the Queen called to her, causing her to stop and look back.

“Be careful out there.”

“I will, Sarah,” she smiled back.

“Besides, it’s our own territory. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Now, now, don’t jinx it,” Kerrigan smirked, shaking her head in amusement.

‘For what it’s worth, may the Force be with you.’

Ahsoka grinned as she left the nerve center and the Queen, already feeling the anticipation. Her hands traced Uno and Uto, her organic lightsabers.

A quest of her own!

‘About time!’