Erstwhile

Choice

I'd found the Light.

All sense of time was lost in my clouded mind, but when I spotted him, what had felt like an eternity finally came to an end. From my position behind an outcropping of fungi, I could see that Ezra was being escorted by a group of three Storm Troopers, Ezra being carried on one of their backs.

Everything in my being wanted to run to his side and rescue him from his captors, but they outnumbered me. Not only that, but I had my own separate enemy following close behind. Even now I could sense my Master's dark presence, and if I decided to attempt a rescue, he would surely pounce. If that would happen, I was unsure if I'd be able to hold him at bay long enough for Ezra to escape.

Snapping my scattered thoughts back to the present, I watched as two of the three Storm Troopers laid Ezra on the ground. Their hands went for his leg, and at their touch, Ezra shrieked before falling limp. At once I was moving towards them, but stopped when I heard someone call my name.

"Snips."

Swallowing hard, I faced my Master. Just like before, he was cloaked in darkness, but he had yet to reveal his saber of blood. How had I not sensed his presence approaching?

"What makes you think you can save him?" He asked, "Even now, he draws near death."

"I won't let him die," I snarled and reached for my weapons.

"You can turn away from this path," Anakin explained, "We could be together again. Master and Padawan, reunited."

At his words, the world spiraled away, and I found myself in my younger form. Across from me was my Master, his eyes laughing and his mouth fixed in a grin, like he knew something that you didn't. My mind traveled back to our first days together. It'd been hard, but overtime, we had become an unstoppable force.

How I missed those days, when Sky-guy--as I had liked to call my Master--had traveled the universe, pushing back the forces of evil.

Too much had changed since then. Too many friendships had been severed by death, pain, and suffering. Once peaceful planets had been torn apart, and even the Jedi in all their power had been unable to prevent the darkness from rising. In fact, as the Dark triumphed, it had cut down those on the side of Light.

It was true, I had left the Jedi Order, but I had lost many friends that day.
Now my Master was offering me a chance to stand side-by-side with him again. I wouldn't be alone with my memories anymore. I could share them with someone who had experienced them too.

"Please, Ahsoka," he murmured and outstretched his hand toward me, "I miss you."

"I miss you too," I stammered, "I've missed you since the day I left--"

"Then come with me."

With sobs clawing at my throat, I stepped away from my Master. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be the same in the Dark," I said and shook my head, dispelling the shadows. With the vision gone, my Master's amber eyes were hidden as he regained his black mask and haggard breathing.

"You've made your choice," my Master snarled and activated his light saber, "It was the wrong one."

"No," I disagreed and revealed my own light sabers, ignoring the pain in my wrist, "It wasn't."

Without another moment's hesitation, I lunged forward.

Hey everyone!

I really enjoyed writing this chapter, and I hope you liked it! Please comment and let me know what you thought! Don't forget to vote!

Julie :D

P.S.

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Until next time.