"Tchachke and Meeva, where are you?"
Ashara waited for a reply, and she heard one come through a moment later.
"We're outside the DNA chamber", Tchachke said. "There are no droids here, but-"
Tchachke's voice ended with a sudden gasp, and Ashara heard Meeva let out a pained gasp as well.
"Tchachke! Do you read me?!" Ashara yelled as she ran forward, cutting through any droids she saw. "Meeva! Answer me!" There was no answer, and Ashara ran faster, hoping and praying that the last of her squad was okay.
When she arrived at the door to the DNA chamber, she saw the two last members of her squad, laying on the floor, with what looked like a lightsaber stabbed through their abdomen. Ashara closed her eyes tightly in rage and used the force to pull both of her lightsabers into her hands. She stepped into the DNA chamber, and found a familiar enemy waiting there for her holding a canister that held the clone DNA.
"Ventress", she hissed as she ignited her cyan lightsabers. She held them tightly, waiting for the assassin to make the first move.
"Master Ki", she smirked. "Did you see what I did to those female clones of yours? I hope you liked it."
Ashara grit her teeth, biting back a rage filled yell, and leapt forward, rage fueling her attack. Ventress quickly blocked the with a lightsaber of her own. She pushed the Jedi backward into the pristine wall and used Ashara's disorientation to make her escape.
The togruta shook her head, and quickly followed after Ventress. She was going to make the assassin pay for taking away the last of her squad. As she ran out of the DNA chamber, she found Anakin locked in combat with Ventress. She didn't hesitate to jump in, knowing that Anakin would be able to easily shift his attacks to coincide with hers. They didn't train together all that time for nothing.
Together, they managed to fend her off, before she decided to run off. Ashara instantly took off after her, knowing Anakin wasn't far behind her. She got to the main hangar, and attacked Ventress as soon as she caught up. She was whirlwind of fury, until she finally managed to kick Ventress down. Ashara watched as the canister of clone DNA flew off of the assassin's belt and into Anakin's hand. She smirked, and approached Ventress, keeping her away from Anakin.
Ventress kicked the Jedi away harshly, and Ashara tumbled a few times, dropping her lightsabers in the process. She groaned as she rolled to a stop, and looked up to see Anakin knocked back, and the canister about to fly into Ventress' hand. She was relieved when she saw a clone stop it, and an entire platoon surround Ventress. She stood, and pulled her lightsabers to her. She started approaching the assassin just as a ship flew by and the bald woman jumped into it. She growled and stared with anger.
Without a word, she stormed off into the hangar, not wanting to talk to anyone. She wandered the hallways until she made her way back to the DNA chamber. It was at that moment, when she saw the two dead clones that she finally broke down. Screaming, she collapsed to her knees, and started sobbing.
As a Jedi, she wasn't supposed to form attachments, but that was difficult for her. She didn't come to the Jedi Temple until she was 7. By that point, she was already attached to Anakin, and she very quickly became attached to her master, seeing the older togruta much like her mother. She was attached to her squad, which was proven with the fact that her heart clenched painfully. Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she bowed her head in mourning. She mourned for every clone that they had lost today and in previous battles. She mourned for Tha, for Halene and Dice, and finally Tchachke and Meeva.
A hand placed on her shoulder surprised her. She looked up to see Anakin. She just looked up at him with tear filled eyes, before looking back at her clones.
"They're gone, Anakin. They're all gone", she whispered.
"I know, Ash", Anakin replied. "I know. Come on, we need to go report to the council what happened."
Ashara shook her head. "No. I'm not leaving them. Not now."
Anakin sighed. "Ash, you said it yourself, they're gone. You can't do anything about it. We need to go report to the council." The togruta could sense him trying to stay patient. She found herself not caring.
"No", she said harshly. "I'm staying with them."
Anakin grabbed her arm, and pulled her up. "The council needs to hear what happened from you, me, and Obi-wan."
"I don't care!" Ashara said, yanking her arm away from him. "I'm staying here!"
Anakin glared at her, a truly terrifying sight if she hadn't been so emotionally overwhelmed. She glared right back at him. Anakin grabbed her, and started pulling her away. Ashara started screaming.
"Let me go, Anakin!" she yelled as she writhed in his arms. "LET ME GO!! I'M NOT LEAVING THEM!! LET ME GO!"
Anakin ignored her, but they didn't get very far with her struggling every second. Ashara faintly caught a glimpse of Obi-wan, and barely heard him say the word "sleep" as he placed his hand on her forehead before everything went pitch black.
YOU ARE READING
The Rise of the Valkyrie *ON HIATUS*
Fanfic**ON HIATUS** Ashara Ki was your standard Jedi Knight. Well, as standard as she could from joining the order later than other younglings. But at least she had her best friend, Anakin Skywalker, with her. She faces many struggles, but Anakin was alwa...
