Ahsoka Tano - Undeserving

16

Ahsoka had only traveled to the lower levels once or twice, and she had forgotten just how dark they were. All sunlight from the dawn had been replaced by artificial signs showcasing different aspects of shops and entertainment inside the underworld, and the crisp air had become stuffy and stale only 25 levels down from the surface. Her master parked and donned his hood, as did Ahsoka. The two Jedi hopped out of the speeder and onto the concrete sidewalk, looking around carefully. "Follow closely, padawan." Krell commanded sternly. "I would not wish for your clumsiness to blow our cover, and neither would you."

The padawan swallowed hard. "Yes master, of course."

But she noticed that she felt less afraid around her master and more resentful of what he had put her through. Nevertheless, she caught herself before her thoughts strayed too far. He is still your master, and you must still be careful of him. Control your temper a little longer.

Ahsoka followed her master through a dark alley, feeling eyes on both of them equally. She kept her head down and tried her best to simply blend in, following her master obediently and preparing herself for whatever lay ahead. The Force swirled restlessly around her, warning her of danger to come, but Ahsoka wasn't sure what exactly to be wary of. It seemed danger followed them around every corner, just like the damp stale air. So she kept herself on edge, watching, waiting.

"Our target is through here." Her master declared suddenly, quietly. He looked down at Ahsoka, face shrouded in shadow from his hood. "Follow my lead."

"Yes, Master." Ahsoka unhooked her main saber and kept it beneath her cloak, every sense on edge. She was usually attuned to her senses and surroundings, but not like this; this felt as if the padawan was actively pushing against her instincts, wading through a strong current that was desperately trying to keep her going the opposite direction. Something felt very, very wrong here.

Calm down, you're fine. She admonished herself. But her hands still shook and every nerve felt alight with either fear or adrenaline; she'd never truly learned the difference.

Master Krell opened up an unassuming door with a wave of his hand, walking in slowly and carefully. After a moment Ahsoka followed him, entering the door and looking around. They were in a large abandoned building, one that seemed to be originally a storage building of some sort given the concrete flooring, durasteel beams, and high ceilings. A perfect place to perform drug deals. Ahsoka thought wryly. No cloth around to catch any particles or fumes.

Then, suddenly, the electricity within her ignited. Ahsoka's eyes widened and she lunged forwards just as two Magna Guards activated their staffs from the doorway. She whipped around the face them, activating both sabers and eyeing them carefully. They approached her, one fast and one slow. The fast one lunged and twirled its staff, an attack that Ahsoka blocked and countered by twisting herself around and slicing the droid's leg off.

The first Magna Guard fell, off balance now that it was missing one of its legs below the knee. The other took its turn now, swerving and slashing and twirling in a series of complex and dizzying motions Ahsoka managed to keep up with but not triumph over.

The first guard joined back in, fighting two to one now. Ahsoka could feel herself growing weary after a few minutes due to her now out of shape state, sweat dampening her forehead and her breaths becoming sharper and more erratic.

Strategic slashes became desperate swipes as Ahsoka battled for her life, her mind racing to get her out of this situation. Finally, after what felt like ages, one of the droids flipped over her to face her backside and she ducked, swerving around and using the Force to slow its attack enough for her to dismember it at the waist and then the head. Now only one remained, and Ahsoka gave herself a small moment to breathe before lunging back into battle.