Meet You at the Dark Side

Chapter 40 - Whirlwind of Chaos

No, no, no. How did he know she was here?

"You were foolish to think I might not know how to counter the tricks I taught you, child," the Sith Lord replies lightly, though she can sense the anger burning in him.

Ahsoka doesn't waste a moment before whirling around, sprinting around the corner and to the hanger door. She slams a hand on the button... but nothing happens. Wait, what? She hits it again. It's... not working! How did this happen? Dread coils through her. She's cornered. Dooku must have done something to stop it from opening. It's the only logical conclusion she can think of. The memory of years ago being cornered by her former Zygerrian master flickers through her mind, but she forces it back.

She doesn't fear death. She'll cease to exist and sink into the currents of the Force forever. It would be wrong – she's too young – but she's not afraid of it. No, it's being left alive without her brother and uncle. Being forced to spend the rest of her life alone, without the few people she loves.

If it were Sidious here, she'd be far more worried, but Dooku's not a sadist. She doesn't have to worry about him hurting her for no reason.

Ahsoka doesn't have her lightsabers yet, but that doesn't mean she can't fight. She's not the skinny little girl she used to be anymore. She has the Force, and she's not afraid of using it. She has nothing to hide like she did back then.

Ahsoka spins around, standing firm as Dooku rounds the corner, still holding his lightsaber. "You should never have tried to escape," he admonishes. "It was foolish. You cannot possibly succeed."

She raises her head a bit. "Maybe. But it was getting rather boring being stuck there so long." She glances up and down the hall, but there's no way to escape. It's too late for regrets now, but they should have chosen a different time.

"Now, surrender," he commands, walking towards her. "I will spare Skywalker yet."

"His life is not yours to control," she snaps, anger surging. How dare he talk about Anakin like that? "How did you even know I was here?"

"I sensed it. The Force has been in turmoil. I knew it centered around you. Did you really think I couldn't sense you in the ventilation shaft?"

No, but she hoped. What is she going to do now? She knows Anakin isn't going to leave without her.

Ridiculously enough, it's Dooku's comm suddenly beeping that saves her.

Ahsoka glances behind her again at the door. She can't open it normally, but maybe she can open it with the Force, if she moves fast enough? Closing her eyes, she reaches out towards it. It was locked from the other side, but it's not damaged. She doesn't pay much attention to what the droid is saying, all she knows is that they must have figured out Anakin and Obi-Wan aren't where they're supposed to be. Finally, the door clicks open.

In a flash she whirls around sprints for the opening, jumping through before letting it slam closed behind her. She glances around the hanger, taking in the scene. She entered a much more secluded area but can clearly hear the sounds of battle. This is not good.

A second later, a red lightsaber stabs through the door behind her. Wherever the battle is, that's probably where Anakin and Obi-Wan are, so that where she needs to go. Although if she does... that's probably going to lead Dooku straight to them. But then again, that's what he's going to do anyway.

Ahsoka spins around to face the doorway, backing up as it slides open to reveal a now obviously very upset Sith Lord. "You should never have done that," he warns darkly. She braces herself against whatever is about to come. She's never seen him so upset before, and she doesn't even need to feel the warning whispering through the Force that she's going to face his wrath. He extends a hand, and the Force tightens over her neck. Ahsoka struggles against his grip, but even fueled by her own panic, she's not skilled enough to break the hold.