The place changed as we were suddenly inside the Jedi Temple. We were horrified as we saw several dead bodies of Jedi lying in the hallway. My face fell as we got closer...they were Master Windu, Master Allie, Kina, Gida, Tarom, Maya, Thox, O-Mer, younglings like Petro, and many others. I was completely horrified.
"Master Yoda. Master Storm, please help me." Ahsoka begged.
I immediately ran over towards Ahsoka upon hearing her voice. Ahsoka croaked out. "I'm...I'm dying."
"What has happened here, Padawan?" Master Yoda asked.
"Who has done this?" I inquired.
"The Sith." Ahsoka replied.
I furrowed by brows. "How?"
"You told me I would finish my training and become a Jedi, but the Council expelled me. Why would you do that, Master Yoda? Will I still become one with the Force when I die? Master, will I be a Jedi?" Ahsoka asked.
My face fell as she let out her final breath before us. My heart dropped. I cried out. "Ahsoka no!"
Master Yoda looked just as devastated as I was. "Padawan? Ahsoka, no."
"Master!"
My stomach fell upon hearing that familiar voice. I whipped around to see Areria lying not too far from us. Immediately I rushed over towards her. I knelt beside her as I grabbed one of her hands that lied beside her.
"Master...forgive me, I was not strong enough to defeat them." Areria said before she began to cough. "You deserved a better padawan."
I shook my head. "No, I couldn't have asked for a better padawan, Areria."
I then watched as Areria let out a gasp before her eyelids closed one last time. Tears streamed down my cheeks. "I'm sorry...I've failed as a Master and as a friend."
"Not strong enough I was. Failed I have, failed them all." Master Yoda said.
At that moment, we heard Katooni's voice. "Master Storm, Master Yoda."
We turned around to see Katooni making her way towards us. "Let me take you away from your confusion, your anger, your sadness. Come with me, and you will never know pain, never know sadness. Close your eyes, and I will guide you."
With that, Master Yoda and I each grabbed her hand before closing our eyes. A bright light engulfed us before we appeared before the Jedi Temple. We then saw Katooni not too far from us. Katooni gave us a smile. "The Temple is beautiful, isn't it, Master Yoda, Master Ca'ana?"
We then saw younglings running around, while the Jedi Masters, Jedi Knights, and some padawans talked amongst each other. Amongst them I saw Anakin, Aayla, Maya, Jinx, Master Windu, Ahsoka, Areria, Master Fisto, Master Allie, Master Gallia, Obi-Wan, and several more.
Master Yoda nodded. "Yes, so peaceful, as it was before the war."
"War? Oh, there is no war here, Master, only peace and tranquility." Katooni informed us.
"No war?" I repeated, rather baffled.
Katooni then walked off along with a few others, and I noticed Obi-Wan with Jinx and Maya talking to two others. I couldn't tell who they were as their backs were facing us. As we made our way towards them, Obi-Wan's eyes lit up. "Ah, Master Yoda, Storm! Master Dooku was just telling us a tale of when he was your Padawan. Really quite a humorous story."
At that moment, Dooku turned around to face us. The second man turned around, revealing himself to be Master Jinn. My eyes widened. Dooku and Master Jinn are here?! Standing beside Dooku stood Maya and Jinx.
Master Yoda took a step back upon seeing Dooku. "Count Dooku."
"Yes, Master. I was telling them the tale of when you faced the giant terentatek on Kashyyyk. What a terrible beast it was." Dooku commented.
"Yes...Yes. I remember." Master Yoda replied, still looking confused.
"We had wonderful adventures, Master Yoda and I." Dooku mentioned.
"Yes, why haven't you told us that story, grandfather?" Jinx questioned.
"He must have his reasons." Master Jinn pointed out.
Dooku's face softened when he saw me. "Storm, so good to see you."
This baffled me. I was told Dooku always cared for me, but I believed them to be lies, always believing he only wanted me for my power. I was still trying to wrap my mind around this.
"Uh...you too." I said, unsure of how to respond.
"You're not playing favorites again, right grandpa?" Jinx teased.
Dooku chuckled. "Of course not. I love all my grandchildren equally."
"Uh-huh, sure." Jinx retorted.
"Grandpa will you tell us the story of how you and Storm fought the pirates on Florrum?" Maya asked with a grin on her face.
"I'm sure we'd all love to hear more, but it's time to join the others." Obi-Wan advised.
We then watched as they all stood by the tree. Could it be a different him? Has he changed? I had remembered this side of Dooku before he turned, when he was my Master. Dooku glanced over at us with a genuine smile on his face. "Coming, Master? Storm?"
I couldn't help but return his smile as I made my way towards them, but Master Yoda grabbed my robe, pulling me back. "No. Wrong this is."
I glanced back to see them all wear furious expressions. My stomach dropped upon seeing their faces. Master Yoda pointed his gimer stick at them. "Lies these images are. Lies. Dead I know you to be. On Naboo, died you did, Qui-Gon. And a traitor you are, my old padawan."
At that moment, Dooku turned around with blood red eyes. The others vanished as a gust of wind approached us. He then ignited his lightsaber. I placed a hand on waist where I belt with no weapons lied, prepared to attack, but I stopped. Why should I attack? This wasn't even real.
"No, this isn't real. This is an illusion." I protested.
"Right you are, Storm. A falsehood this is." Master Yoda agreed.
We then closed our eyes and we were consumed by a bright light. We appeared back on an island. Serenity then appeared before us. "You have done well, but to succeed, your life must be spent learning, practicing."
"Please show me who you are. See your face I must." Master Yoda urged.
Serenity took off her mask, revealing that she was nothing. Her robes fell onto the ground in front of us. I stared in awe. She's dead?
"Now you see. We have achieved what you seek and live between the realms." Serenity mentioned.
"Dead you are?" Master Yoda questioned.
"Yes." She replied.
"How will we complete our training?" I questioned.
The other four appeared before us. Confusion spoke to us first. "You must face the ultimate test, the ultimate seduction, the gravest of journeys. You will travel to Moraband."
"Moraband." Master Yoda repeated.
"Journey through the ancient homeworld of the Sith. Face all that you fear, all that haunts your soul!" Anger exclaimed.
They all vanished at once. My face fell at Anger's words. I didn't like where this was going. Moraband was off limits to Jedi for a reason, just like Malachor was. Oh great...this will be just peachy. Our ships then appeared before us. We then flew back out of the geyser, picking up R2 and T3-A2.
"Hey T3." I greeted.
T3 let out a few intrigued beeps, wondering what we found on this planet. Oh Force, where do I begin?
"It's quite a strange place, but Master Yoda and I have not finished what we came for. We still have one place to visit. Set a course for Moraband." I ordered.
T3 let out a terrified whistle upon hearing the name of that planet. T3 had every reason to be terrified, but I needed him to be strong.
"It'll be all right, T3." I assured him. "We must be brave."
Master Yoda's voice spoke through the communication of our ships. "Careful we must be. Deserted this planet was, long ago after many wars."
Once they landed, we walked out of the ships. I felt a shiver run up my spine. This place gives me the whingeing jimmies. Around us were several buildings that were demolished and several valleys. We turned to R2 and T3. I placed a hand on T3's head, giving him a sympathetic smile. "I'm afraid we must leave you both again. Make sure to guard the ship."
"If return we do not by three nightfalls, take the ship to Coruscant you shall. Tell them of where we went." Master Yoda urged.
With that we walked off as a gust of wind surrounded us. After walking a bit further, we sat on the sand, mediating. It wasn't long until a dark figure approached us with red eyes and a face made of bugs. " We are the Sith."
"Afraid of you I am not." Master Yoda replied.
"Nor am I." I added.
"We shall see." The figure warned.
It tried to strike us, yet we used the Force to protect us. It flew back but more appeared, circling around us. My stomach churned.
"There is no life after death. Only nothingness awaits you, Jedi. Your fear feeds our hunger for power. They will know you are here. We will tell them. You will die and be nothing." They rebuked.
They began to head our way, striking us, but before we could attack they vanished. As soon as they were gone, we headed towards the temple. We ignited our lightsabers as we walked in and through the huge temple. The place was rather spacious, yet empty. It wasn't long until we saw the casket of Darth Bane. Black shadows appeared from out of the casket along with ashes. No doubt it took form of Darth Bane. "Why do you come to my tomb, Jedi?"
"To learn." Master Yoda mentioned.
"Do you know who I am?" Bane inquired.
I nodded. "Yes, you are Darth Bane."
"The ancient Sith Lord, you are." Master Yoda commented.
"And know why I am not forgotten?" Bane questioned.
"Created the Rule of Two you did." Master Yoda stated.
"The Sith killed each other victims of their own greed. But from the ashes of destruction, I was the last survivor. I chose to pass my knowledge on to only one." Bane informed us. "I created a legacy so resilient that now you come before me. Have you come to be my apprentices? You must kill me to gain my place."
"There's no way we'd ever be your apprentices." I retorted.
"Dead you are already." Master Yoda pointed out.
Bane chuckled. "Then what stands before you?"
"An illusion. Real you are not." Master Yoda shot back.
Bane approached even closer towards us. "You do not fear me?"
"We do not for you don't exist anymore." Master Yoda retaliated.
Bane then disappeared and the shadows along the ashes returned to the casket. The tomb of Bane moved, allowing us inside. Once we walked down a long hallway near the opening of a chamber, we saw the five priestesses in the form of lights. They then appeared in their forms that we met them in.
"A warning I must give you." Serenity mentioned.
Master nodded. "Yes."
"All your trials you have faced have been our doing. And you have passed them well. But inside, there is a place where we have no control, for it is a place of absolute darkness." Serenity warned.
"What happened here?" I asked.
"It is the chamber where the Sith would sacrifice Jedi. The Sith of your time will find you there, and you will find them." Serenity explained. "Be careful, for what they may offer will certainly feel like an answer."
They then vanished. I looked at the chamber, feeling anxious. What if we fail? Will we perish? I felt a hand on my arm. I glanced over at Master Yoda, who gave me an encouraging look. "Strong, we must be."
I nodded. "You're right. We can do this."
With that, we entered the chamber together. As we walked down the hallway we saw Master Sifo-Dyas and Koltav trapped in containment fields. My eyes widened. This is impossible...Tears filled my eyes at once.
"Help me." Master Sifo-Dyas begged.
"Please, free me." Koltav chimed in.
"Sifo-Dyas? Alive you are!" Master Yoda exclaimed.
"Koltav...you're alive?" I questioned, rather baffled.
Koltav nodded. "Yes, I've been trapped here for quite a while now. But at least you're here now. That's all that matters, Storm."
Baffled, yet glad to see Koltav again, I made my way towards him. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I looked up at Koltav. "How can this be? I saw you die on Mustafar."
A smile appeared on his face. "Free me, and I will tell you."
Believing in Koltav, I extended a hand out towards him. But before I could touch him, Master Yoda shouted out. "Storm, step away from him, you must! Koltav Catroe, he is not."
I then watched as Master Sifo-Dyas's and Koltav's eyes turned red. I stepped away, completely horrified.
"He knows how to achieve what you seek, Storm." Koltav commented.
"Captivated by the physical realm the Sith are." Master Yoda retorted.
"What else is there? Free me, and together we can know who the Sith Lord is, gain the power you deserve, and save the future." Master Sifo-Dyas urged.
"You must free us!" Koltav exclaimed.
My stomach churned. Master Yoda shook his head. "Nothing to show me the Sith have."
Master Syfo-Dyas scoffed. "We shall see."
Blue flames then surrounded us as we saw Koltav vanish and in Master Sifo-Dyas's and Koltav's place stood Sidious. Master Yoda's eyes widened. "Sidious..."
I began to feel lightheaded, collapsing to the ground before my eyelids grew heavy.
•••
When I awoke, I were in a shuttle with Anakin, Jinx, Rex, and their troops. I glanced around to see Master Yoda beside me, looking just as confused as I was.
"There is no question. The ship was carrying Count Dooku." Jinx mentioned.
"We've scanned the area, and he is meeting with someone inside the building." Rex added.
"Thanks, Rex, Jinx. Master Yoda, what are your orders?" Anakin asked as he glanced over at us.
"Orders?" Master Yoda repeated, rather baffled.
What was going on? Where are we? Anakin gave Master Yoda a worried look. "Are you all right, Master?"
I furrowed my brows. "Where are we?"
Jinx raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand."
"Tell me you must." Master Yoda urged.
"The industrial sector on Coruscant." Jinx explained.
"What is happening here?" I questioned.
"A rogue shuttle slipped through the security grid. We suspect Dooku was on board." Anakin clarified.
"And?" Master Yoda asked.
"Master, this is your mission. Are you sure that you're all right?" Anakin questioned.
Master Yoda nodded. "Clouded, the dark side has made me."
Jinx placed a hand on my shoulder. "Storm, are you all right? Don't you remember the briefing?"
"I must've zoned out." I replied, thinking of an excuse on the top of my head.
Anakin chuckled. "Of course you did."
"Tell me, who is inside?" Master Yoda questioned.
"We intercepted a transmission calling Dooku to Coruscant. We believe he is meeting with his master, the Sith Lord." Anakin explained.
"Feel it I do. Feel their power." Master Yoda mentioned.
At his words, I sensed a strong disturbance in the Force coming from a building not far from us. Were we truly going to bring an end to this war?
"Your orders, Master?" Anakin asked.
"Capture them we will. The time has come to discover the identity of this Sith Master." Master Yoda urged.
"And if they escape?" Jinx questioned.
"Escape, not. If it comes to it, execute them we must. End it now we will." Master Yoda ordered.
It wasn't long until we approached the building. We rushed out of the shuttle and into the building. Rex, Anakin, Jinx, and the troops rushed on ahead while I walked beside Master Yoda. We saw Sidious and Dooku in a room not too far from us.
"I've got two confirmed targets. Be ready for additional unfriendlies." Rex warned.
We then saw Dooku ignite his lightsaber. The troopers began blasting them, but Dooku used his Force lightning, killing all the troopers, devastating me. Once they fell to the ground, Jinx and Anakin lunged towards Dooku fighting him, while Master Yoda and I approached Sidious.
"We meet at last, Darth Sidious." Master Yoda said.
"You cannot stop what is to come." Sidious warned.
Sidious then ran out of the room. As we chased after him, we saw both Anakin and Jinx unarm Dooku before decapitating him. My face fell in horror. "No!"
"Ca'ana, Skywalker, no!" Master Yoda exclaimed.
Master Yoda then grabbed my hand. "Come Storm, we must go after Sidious."
With that we followed him out onto a small bridge. Sidious ignited his lightsaber as did Master Yoda and I. We swung our lightsabers, clashing them against Sidious' lightsaber. We used all our strength, pushing him back. Sidious stumbled back, but he quickly regained his composure. He then lunged towards us to strike. Master Yoda and I deflected all his attacks as they grew quicker. It wasn't long until Anakin and Jinx joined us. Master Yoda and I used the Force to push Sidious back. Once he fell back, Anakin and Jinx lunged forth.
We then watched in horror as Sidious lifted them both up before shocking them using the Force lightning on them. They yelled out in pain. Sidious then released them, throwing them back onto the bridge. He then tried to do the same to us, but I used my lightsaber to deflect the lightning while Master Yoda used his hands, absorbing the lightning. Together, we pushed him off the bridge.
I let out a sigh of relief. He's gone...However, we then saw a red lightsaber at the bottom of the bridge near us. Sidious then cut the bridge in half before jumping back up. Master Yoda and I quickly jumped onto his side of the bridge. We were about to fight Sidious, when we noticed Anakin and Jinx still lying on the bridge, which was falling apart. Master Yoda and I used the Force to pick them up. Sidious let out a sinister laugh. "Save him, Jedi? Can you save him?"
Sparks of lightning appeared from his fingertips before they were sent in our direction again. However, we raised out lightsabers with our left hand, deflecting the lightning, while we used our right hand to prevent them from falling.
"Why not let him go? Let him die, and you can stop all that I will do." Sidious taunted.
"No! We won't give in." I retorted.
"The future is not yours yet. Tempted I will not be. Sacrifice all I am ready to do." Master Yoda chimed in.
We put our lightsabers away before using both our hands to lift Anakin and Jinx up. As we did so, Sidious continued to send lightning in our direction. I groaned as I felt the pain surge through my body, but I fought it to make sure my sister would be safe. Once they were safe, our side of the bridge back to collapse.
To prevent Sidious from going anywhere, Master Yoda threw his lightsaber up, cutting off the last part of the bridge that kept us dangling about. Together we all fell, Sidious tried to tackle us, but we fought him off. Once we reached closer towards the ground, we saw nothing in the cloak. As we fell towards the ground, my eyelids grew heavy until I could see nothing but darkness.