The Rise of the Valkyrie *ON HIATUS*

Chapter Thirty-One

Ashara laughed as Anakin threw a small fruit at her. She caught it easily, without even touching it. It just floated in the air.

"I wish I could do that", Anakin said. "You're so cool when you do that."

Ashara shrugged her tiny shoulders. "You'll be able to one day, Ani! I know you will."

Anakin grinned, and looked at a piece of fruit on the table. He stared at it really hard, and Ashara had to keep herself from laughing. He just looked really constipated.

"That's not how you do it, silly", she said. "Close your eyes and reach out, feel the area around the fruit. Then focus on the fruit and imagine it being lifted up."

Ashara watched as he did what she said, relaxing and looking much more peaceful than he has since she got there. She watched as the fruit lifted up for a few seconds. She grinned.

"You did it, Ani!" she cheered. Anakin opened his eyes a bit, and grinned when he saw the floating fruit. 

"I did it!" he cheered, pumping his fists into the air. The fruit fell back down onto the table.

"So you taught Anakin how to use the force?" Rex asked. Ashara nodded once. 

"I didn't know it was the force until a few years later, when Qui-Gon found me." Rex tilted his head in confusion, not recognizing the name. Ashara quickly spoke. "I'll explain who he is later."

Rex's comm-link beeped. He sighed. "Looks like it's time for a mission." Ashara nodded. 

"Go. I'll tell you more when you get back." Rex nodded, and left the Ghost, leaving Ashara alone to her thoughts. Her comm-link beeped however, and she answered it.

"What is it?" she asked gently.

"Greetings, Ashara Ki", she heard Yoda's voice on the other side. "Returned, you have."

"Master Yoda!" Ashara greeted back in surprise. "I have, yes."

"A meeting with you, the council would like", Yoda said. Ashara nodded, before realizing he couldn't see her.

"Yes, Master Yoda. I shall leave immediately." The communication link was ended, and Ashara sighed softly. She had hoped that the council would wait a little bit longer before asking her to meet with them. She knew it would happen, but she had hoped.

In the time it had taken for her to tell Rex her story, they had made it back to Coruscant. So Ashara merely had to leave the ship now, and make her way to the Jedi Temple. She did so quickly, not saying a word except to give directions to the clone who was driving her through the city.

She got to the temple, and made her way up to the council chambers. She waited outside, knowing that when they wished to speak with her, they would bring her in. She didn't have to wait long before she was greeted by a familiar dark skinned Jedi Master. 

"Master Windu", she greeted as respectfully as she could, trying to hide her disdain for him. Ever since she and Anakin arrived at the Jedi Temple, he had treated them like garbage, like they weren't worthy to be part of the Order, and it bugged her to no end. 

The Master Jedi gave no indication that he heard her, and instead just returned to his seat, whereas Ashara moved to the middle of the room. It was highly uncomfortable for her to be surrounded by all the Jedi masters, but she didn't allow her feelings of awkwardness to surface and take control. Instead she let her feelings of peace and tranquility take over.

Mace Windu was the first to speak. "Why did you leave the Jedi Order, Ashara?"

Ashara answered truthfully. "I was struggling with my emotions after losing the last two clones in my squad. I needed to take some time to gather my thoughts, and my emotions and gain control."