Shadows of the Past

Chapter 1

Ghost

Herra opened the door of the ship to allow the others to enter. Their grim faces made her curious about what happened but then the arrival of a dark tall figure made her take a step back.
'Kanan, what is this?
Grievous growled angrily.
'Watch your tone, little twi'lek. I won't hesistate to teach you some manners!
'Hey, you better watch your tone or...
But Ezra was stopped by a dark chuckle coming from the General.
'Or what, Jedi pup? You and your puny friends are going kill me? Hah! I have faced so much worse in my long shattered life...
With that, he stopped staring at the blue-haired boy and went straight to the cockpit, followed by the Twi'lek female. Zeb and Sabine went to their rooms a bit shaken by the pressence of the malevolent cyborg. The Jedi remained alone in the main room.
'Kanan, can we speak now?the boy asked impatiently.
'We can. What do you wish to know?
'Kanan, who is this? A droid with a soul, who can wield a lightsaber and defeat all of us? And he seems to know you...
'Indeed. His memory is not a happy one...the Jedi said with remorse. During the Clone Wars, he was the Supreme Commander of the Condeferacy, the very one who led the war against the Republic and sacked Coruscant.
Ezra whistled impressed.
'He is a very skilled ... and dirty fighter. We can't trust him Ezra! He is a murderer... killed more than one hundred of Jedi...
'But then why didn't he kill us?
'I don't know. It is clear he is not on the Empire's side, as he killed that inquisitor.
'Are you sure we should lead him to Ashoka?
'I am afraid we don't have a choice...Kanan answered a bit angry.
'But we can't let him do whatever he wants! How did you meet him anyway?
'It was a long time ago, during the second year of the war... I was on a mission with my master, Depa Billaba... when we encountered him. It was by sheer luck that I wasn't killed that day, after foolishly charging right into him. My master saved me...
Kanan smiled as he remembered the female Jedi's face.
'How touching...
Ezra and Kanan turned their heads towards the new comer, who was no one else than the wolf they were talking about.
'Isn't it ironical? That of all the Jedi that could have survived the Purge, it was you, a mere padawan?
Grievous watched him with a mocking stare in his golden eyes.
'Kanan is not a mere padawan!Ezra protested. He is very skilled and defeated the Inquisitor!
'Yes... a strange event based on sheer luck... after our short duel, I can see you two are very weak. Barely capable of defending against a capable lightsaber user as myself.
'I think you overestimate your skill, General! The blue haired boy tried to cut off his arrogant pondering.
'Aaargh! I should slice off your smile from your dirty face, but that would be unproductive...look at this mask, Jedi pup...
He approached the boy, leaving a short distance of a few centimenters between their faces.
'This mask has been present at more important galactic events than you even know! You weren't even born when the Clone Wars started, your "master" wasn't even born when I started wearing this mask.
'How old are you?
'How inquisitive...you could say that I have one century behind me but I have lost the track of the years as they passed...
The boy was left with his jaw dropped. The General was satisfied by the result of his spoken words. Grievous decided to let Ezra diger the new informations he got from him, and walked away from the room. His dark cape was billowing through the air, making the white strange symbol from the back of the cloak shine. After he dissapeared from sight, Kanan shook his head disspointed.
'Don't be so impressed Ezra. Ashoka deserves your respect, not that scumbag! She has as much experience as him.
'I think you are overrracting, Kanan.
'No, Ezra! You must not fall under the impression Grievous is a good example for you... to me, he is no different than the Sith, using all the means to achieve their dark objectives.
'What do you think his is?
'I don't know... but I don't like the fact that we have met. He should have died with the others at the end of the Clone Wars...

Rebel fleet

Deep inside space, the rebel cell led by Ashoka Tano was recovering after an unexpected battle with the imperials. It was clear that they had known that the freedom fighters will emerge at that point. While many said it had been a coincidence, Ashoka was not fooled by such circumstances. In her experience, there are no unplanned coincidences, so she was suspecting a traitor among the ranks. Rex was scratching his bald head after the Jedi told him of her theory.
'Well, as you know, spies infiltrate everywhere... so it might be true.
'Rex, we can't found a force to oppose the Empire while we struggle with a few ships and their crew.
'I understand that, but we need to start gaining the people's hearts.
'Captain Rex!
A rebel at the console shouted.
'What is it, solider?
'The Ghost is emerging from Hyperspace.
'Kanan must have returned from that incident. I hope he saved the rebels!Ashoka thought with loud voice.
'Let's go.
The Ghost entered the formation of the fleet and went to the admiral one where the leaders were located. The docking bay opened and Ashoka waited calmly with Rex at her side. The Ghost's exit ramp opened and the team appeared, though with a frown on all their faces. Ashoka started thinking they failed, until she widened up her eyes when, from the other side, a tall hooded figure appeared. Even if it was covered, the old padawan recognized the golden eyes of General Grievous as he stared at her. While the cyborg didn't change that much over the years, save for some scars and the new cloak, Ashoka matured into an adult. She ignited her white lightsabers and took a fighting stance while Rex pulled out his blasters. To their surprise, they were answered by an unimpressed laugh.
'Have you forgot how the last time went when we faced like this? Grievous asked smirking internally.
'Grievous, why are you here?she asked still prepared to fight.
'I was actually searching for you, Jedi! You see, I have considered joining you.
'Are you insane? We won't allow you to join us!
'I had heard that your rebel cells recruit all kinds of men that are willing to fight against the Empire for a new democracy. In this case, I am very willing to help. You wouldn't reject it, would you?he asked.
'I... I don't know. Why would I trust you?
'I thought Jedi believed in redemption? So why won't you give me a chance?
'I am not a Jedi anymore...she retorted, frowning.
'I assumed as such... your absence was noted.
'Ashoka, what should we do?Rex asked, still pointing his blasters at Grievous.
'A clone! I never forget the faces of the ones that escaped my wrath. So tell me, how did you execute Order 66? You were the boy's most trusted solider...
Grievous approached the duo with little fear. The tension was still high, but the confidence in the cyborg was very imposing.
'I... I refused to do it!
'Is that so? We will have time to speak about this... now, if you would lower your weapons...
Ashoka sighed and deactivated her white lightsabers.
'Now, Ashoka, let us speak in private. Your trusted team here is too stupid to be entrusted with my secrets.
'Hey, you can't...
But Ezra was stopped by Ashoka.
'It's fine, Ezra. Come, Grievous...