Scars (Commander Wolffe x Jedi Reader)

Part 9

"This is going well," commented Fox, searching the run-down streets, hoping to find the missing Jedi. Ahsoka was at his side, humming the tune to a song as if attempting to lighten the mood. Clone Force 99 had veered off some time ago. Although they kept in contact via the com, they never stated their specific location. Tech always answered when the unit was hailed, never failing to give a long, detailed answer as if to throw the caller off purposely.

"Skyguy always said (Y/N) was a master at hiding," replied Ahsoka, a slight smirk appearing across her lips before a sigh escaped them. Worry soon settled in; the council was concerned, which only meant the threat posed by the Sith and other enemies was significant.

"The council send you?" called (Y/N), her voice ricocheting off the graffitied walls surrounding the commander and padawan, making it impossible for them to pinpoint her location. Despite being an accomplished Jedi Knight, there was no confidence lingering in her voice, nor happiness. Instead, she was far quieter than usual, her voice colder, as if she'd become someone else while hiding.

"Master Plo did," called Ahsoka, sensing the overwhelming emotions coming from (Y/N), the pain so many ignored over the years, the fear and sadness, the drowning thoughts, everything. "He's out there with the Wolf Pack looking for you too, Master Kenobi and Skyguy as well," added the young padawan, trusting her gut feeling and suspecting her specialized unit had already found her. Maybe a few of the commandoes had, too.

"I can't go back," whispered (Y/N), sliding down the wall she'd previously leaned against, shaking her head in an attempt to rid herself of the images she'd seen in nightmares. "I can't be the reason it rises," she added before holding her head, her words only creating a bubble of confusion. "It's already started; that's why I ran. Tell Wolffe, I'm sorry."

"Wait," called Ahsoka, fighting through her confusion. "You're in danger. The rogue brothers are looking for you. One of them is here. Come back with me, please," she added, concern evident in her voice. Although she, like many others, suspected the rogue Dathomirian brothers meant no harm to (Y/N), she was a Night Sister, after all, a family member.

"What scared you, General? What's going to rise?" asked Fox, surprising Ahsoka by speaking up and asking the Jedi Knight about her words. "You have visions ... what did you see?" he added, removing his helmet mere seconds later, showing her a friend's face, even if it was against protocol. To the relief of both, (Y/N) appeared, staggering from the shadows of the walkway above, fear glistening in her eyes.

"The death of the Jedi at war's end, a darkness of hatred and grief spreading across the galaxy. The republic's gone, Ahsoka; it's been ashes for years," replied (Y/N), her voice shaking with her final words, "The darkness is because of me; I can't let it become the monster I saw; I have to ..."

"NO, wait," yelled Fox, noticing Cody creeping up on (Y/N). His warning was too late, as the Marshal Commander fired a stun bolt, hitting the rogue Jedi Knight and knocking her out for the time being. Obi-Wan appeared moments later, concern of his own written across his features. He knew (Y/N) had visions. Almost everyone within the Order did, but few took her words seriously, even when she correctly predicted many things, including the Clone Wars.

"Take her to the military base," said Obi-Wan, his voice just as quiet as (Y/N) had been before. "I'll inform the others she's been found," added the Jedi Master, sensing the confusion on the chosen locations from several surrounding him, none more so than Cody.

"Sir, wouldn't it be better to take her back to the temple?" asked Nova, voicing his concerns. Usually, the military base was reserved for Jedi prisoners and the clones. To anyone's knowledge (Y/N) wasn't under arrest, nor was she running from anything but her abilities and thoughts.

"Normally, I would say yes; however, (Y/N) trusts the Jedi even less than many trust her. It will be better to place her somewhere she feels safe, with people she does trust," explained Obi-Wan, a fatherly tone to his voice, as his protectiveness took hold, a rare time he allowed his attachments to show, even if only for a second or two. "She trusts all of you far more than anyone else. The odds are Maul and Savage will sense that and keep their distance."

"Her visions ..." began Ahsoka, cutting herself off before she could voice the rest of her concerning thoughts. Despite being Anakin's padawan, she hadn't known (Y/N) had the specific ability through the force.

"She's had them for as long as I can remember," spoke Anakin upon joining the pair of Ahsoka and Obi-Wan, concern etched on his features and glistening in his eyes, anger also present. "She predicted the war and Maul's return," he added, recalling her rambling about the coming war when she was a padawan, always cryptic as if she didn't understand what it was she could see. Sometimes, she woke up screaming, even crying.

"Shouldn't she tell the council?" asked Ahsoka, voicing her belief that the council should be made aware of what had caused her to run, what she had seen this time, and what had scared her so much. "She said the republic was already gone," she added cautiously as if trying to figure out what (Y/N) had meant.

"She doesn't trust them, Snips; they've ignored her. I doubt this time will be any different," replied Anakin, recalling the blindness of the council. Only a few had heeded (Y/N)'s words and listened when she said the war was coming, as she told them it was inevitable. Although no one had believed her regarding Maul, how could the dead return after all? Still (Y/N) had been right on both occasions; there was no reason to think she wasn't this time too. "I'll escort her back to base, stay with her," he continued, ensuring he was heard over the commotion.

"Where did you four go?" Fox asked calmly, as if he were a concerned older brother, turning his attention to the four members of (Y/N)'s unit, neither of whom wore helmets.

"Tracking our General," replied Hunter, as if the answer was obvious. "Picked up her trail just before we swerved off," he added, concern appearing across his tattooed features mere seconds later, "What happened?"

"Cody stunned her, and General Skywalker and his unit are escorting her back to base. Go with them," explained Fox, pushing away his thoughts and feelings when reverting back to his command position, although all of it returned tenfold when he let his command slip again. "You boys are on protection duty. Expect some questions from the Jedi regarding her recent actions and visions," continued the Marshal Commander, nodding to the four before sending them on their way.

"Wolffe, it's Fox; Ca'tra has been found; she's on her way to the base," spoke Fox, pulling his left hand to the side of his helmet. He knew the Wolf Pack was still out there trying to locate her, and despite Wolffe's rough outer shell, he did care. Conflicted but still cared nonetheless. "She asked to forward a message to you. Said she was sorry," he continued, suspecting Wolffe would either be confused further by her apology or know what she referred to.

"Guess we're all on Jedi watch now," said Waxer, Boil at his side along with Nova, looking in the direction Anakin and the 501st had gone. The boys of Clone Force 99 followed them shortly after. One tapped away at a device on his arm while the remaining three remained silent.

"No, her unit is. The rest of us return to duty unless given orders," replied Fox, trying to push away and hide his growing fear. No Jedi had run away in fear before; no one had outwardly shown emotion like that. "Something scared her. She spoke of darkness, a monster," he worded, unsure of his own words; if the Jedi were to fall, surely that meant the republic lost the war; were they already on the losing end? Could what (Y/N) seen be stopped? What would happen to the clones? So many questions floated through Fox's mind, none of which had an answer to relieve the growing uncertainty.

Soon enough, Fox pushed all the intruding thoughts away, determined to return to his regular duties, even if he knew what awaited him: paperwork and an audience with the Chancellor about what had transpired.

"Is Tech still there?" came Gregor's voice via the comlink, the suddenly worded question, enough to startle the marshal commander. "(Y/N) mentioned he keeps a record of everything. He might have something about her visions," added the Commando Captain, his tone severe and void of the typical ring of amusement. No laughter followed this time, either. Instead, his worry was apparent, as if he could sense something was terribly wrong. In a way, all clones could feel it, although it was also just as clear that none of them understood the gravity of what was happening nor what it would truly mean for the future, both their own and of the entire extended galaxy.