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Missing Scenes
Post Revenge of the Sith:
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Ask not what tomorrow may bring, but count as blessing every day that fate allows you. ~Horace
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The ship Asþæa had been issued was a low-class, old model, but it moved and that was enough. She couldn’t be choosy and she was incredibly thankful to the people whose names she didn’t even know for everything they had done for her and the other Jedi. Unfortunately, she could tell something was wrong even before the NavComputer began to act up.
Apparently, it was leaking fuel as well and she didn’t get farther than Rothana, the planet which created the armoured vehicles and weapons for the clone troops. But the Jedi was unaware which planet this was as she landed on its icy terrain.
The landing gears hissed as she drew on her cloak, pulling the hood over her head as she stepped out onto the landing platform. It was desolate and bleak. The billowing hills of snow eerily seemed to be sending her a message of warning, but she would not place her thoughts into the imminent future, for the present was more pressing. She needed to either acquire other transport or fix this ship.
She sensed most of the buildings were barren as well as if the Imperials had wiped out the small population. As she neared a rectangular building, in which she sensed lifeforms, she wondered how best to go about asking for transport as the landing platform had been devoid of other ships.
Upon entering, she found it to be a manufacturing plant. Her eyes widened in horror as she realised just which sort of things they were creating.
One of the workers approached her, but she excused herself, saying she had the wrong address and slipped out quickly. Her pace quickened as she stepped back out into the snow.
The looming darkness descended around her in undulating waves.
He was coming.
He was coming for her.
Was there no way off this planet?
Her breath visible in the freezing atmosphere, Asþæa soon found herself standing on a bridge hanging precariously between two sides of the mountain range. Below her, the currents of a fierce river surged past, raging against the freezing weather. She closed her eyes, reaching out with the Force to find her balance and make the right decision.
The hunt was drawing to a close and he couldn’t have been more pleased for it. Of the Jedi enclave he was commanded to destroy the Jedi known as Ali Vor and a Padawan survivor he had encountered previously named Klossi Anno was by far the quickest to execute. Having first encountered their ship enroute to some destination of escape they had proven to be easy prey for the Sith Lord. It didn’t take much effort to swiftly render their ship inoperational though he was mindful not to destroy it for he wanted to ensure his prey met their end properly by his own hand. As such he personally boarded the ship and swiftly proceeded to Force choke Padawan Anno knowing fully well the effect it would have on her protector. The Knight responded as expected and became easy prey to his lightsaber as his sorrow over the young woman’s death distracted him.
Once he had completed his task the Sith Lord did not pause and quietly departed the old ship without so much as casting a glance to the lightsabers on the floor. While General Grievous might have found pleasure in collecting such trinkets Darth Vader found it only served to remind him of another lightsaber lost and it was a thought he didn’t dare proceed to ponder further upon. For it only encouraged strange doubts and confusion and he had time for neither.
It wasn’t long after that he received word from his master that other Jedi had been found on Kessel and soon he departed to destroy what he could of the remnants. As it turned out there were a few whom had gathered in this place obviously seeking refuge and looking to begin plans for what was left of their dying future. They too fell only too easily to his blade, and had it not been for the familiar face from another life, the Fallen Jedi might have found himself back at his Imperial headquarters. But fate had a way of revealing itself when he least expected it and to his great amusement Darth Vader soon began to track the one he knew as Asajj Ventress. He remembered how his foolish master had spared the Dark Jedi Padawan though he had been on the verge of killing her. Now it would seem years later another chance had availed itself to him.
She was different this time her Force signature wasn’t dark and consuming as he once knew it to be, instead it was vibrant and bright. Not painfully so like Obi-Wan’s but certainly not soothing either. However it made it that much easier to track her although the Rattataki woman was careful to lead him away from the crowds and to somewhere more private. He complied finding the irony of this entire situation to be more than amusing. After all it wasn’t as if she’d even stand a chance.
But her blades were ready and so were his and the dance that ensued proved to be a bit more difficult than he’d care to admit. While he had grown more accustomed to his body it still wasn’t entirely his own and the battle that he had hoped would have been short and swift took longer than he would have liked. In the end however as always he gained the upper hand and in a swift but complex motion he sever her right hand, before using the Force to impale her form against the large torn shards of metal that was once the outer wall of an old factory. What he hadn’t expected however was the strange reaction this obvious defeat had encouraged from the former Jedi Padawan. Instead of fear or anger in its place he only saw hope and forgiveness. Even more disconcerting was the cryptic reply she gave to his demand to know where the others of her enclave were headed.
“You may be lost for now…But one day you will be found…”
While consciously he paid no heed to her words his body for but a moment wouldn’t permit him to respond. His thoughts briefly became a mess of confusion and sorrow forcing him to consciously tap into his fury in order to regain some semblance of control. It wasn’t too hard to do so and soon Asajj was dead leaving the Sith Lord satisfied though a little rankled by her final comments.
However his journey was far from over. For while part of him wanted to return to his temporary headquarters, his obsession with the destruction of the Jedi was far stronger. So that when he received word that the last of the Ysalamiri’s cargo had been located enroute to its destination Darth Vader did not hesitate to set course to track it down. It proved to be even easier to track than Vor’s ship for it leaked fuel and showed signs of complications with its navigational systems. Following it steadily he soon discovered to his amusement that the one question had been forced to land their ship on the planet of Rothana. Even more entertaining was the fact that it had landed almost next to one of the many factories that built the armored vehicles the Clone armies used. He could only imagine the looks on their faces when they realized they had just landed on their gravesite. The thought brought a wry smile to his scarred lips though it quickly faded as he prepared for landing.
Almost as soon as he landed he recognized the Force signature. It was a Jedi knight he had seen a few times but never really paid any heed to. If he recalled correctly her name was Arxia and her Padawan had long since perished by his blade during the execution of the Jedi temple. The thought brought a rush of sorrow, not for the innocent lives he slaughtered but at the memory of the last kiss he shared with his beloved angel only a short time after. If only she would have listened to him, if only his treacherous master hadn’t turned her against him Padmé and their child would have still been alive…If only – He swiftly buried these thoughts as instead he tapped into the rush of fury and darkness this sense of betrayal encouraged. While it always left him feeling cold and barren much like the winter setting he found himself trudging through, it soothed the pain and buried the guilt these thoughts always seemed to encourage. For it was far easier to deal with the fires of rage than it was to deal with than the storms of confusion or worse doubts that would plague him if he wasn’t careful.
Focusing his thoughts once more to the one he sought the Sith Lord soon found her location. Approaching in an almost relaxed fashion he took note of her position on the bridge that divided two sides of a mountain that had been carved by the rushing river below. Already he plotted to turn this situation to his advantage. He noted her lack of lightsaber and figured in his arrogance that this would be short fight indeed.
Yet even now the Jedi Knight was finding her balance through the Force and her sense of calm did little to ease his agitations. As with her fellow comrades Anakin found her aura of peace to be agitating, like salt being poured over fresh wounds. It both infuriated and goaded him onwards, leaving him eager to end this hunt once and for all. After all he had long since grown weary of the Jedi’s pious attitudes and nothing pleased him more than to watch as yet another cowered to his blade.
Once at the entrance to the bridge he took a moment to study the Jedi Knight before drawing and activating his lightsaber.
“I do hope that you put up more of a fight than your foolish Padawan did. I hate to think I have traveled all this way only to have you die within the first minutes of battle.”
He taunted in almost casual tones, although his voice was distorted by the vocalizer making it sound more menacing than mocking.
He was approaching from behind. She could sense it. Drawing out of her meditation, she could only wonder why he would not merely strike her down. Did he think this was a game.
The mention of Bene was a low-blow and she knew he was trying to agitate her. It would not, however, cause her to give in nor resort to violence unless she had to.
Instead of moving for the lightsaber at her hip, she summoned the power within her to manipulate the particles of space around him to send him flying towards the precarious edge of the cliff, so he would fall into the river below and she would have a chance to escape him.
The Sith Lord watched her for a moment longer before chosing to speak. It would not be hard to manipulate the Force to send her over the railing of the bridge's edge but he wanted to stare into the eyes of his prey before sending them back to the Force. He wanted to breath their fear to see their hatred of him burning in their eyes, to remind them that they were not so different from the ones they sought to desperately to destroy.
But this was no time for such considerations and so he spoke, taunting the Jedi Knight before him as she neared. However his words didn't have the effect he wanted and this only served to encourage his annoyance. All the while at the same time make him eager for the fight, for the more powerful they were, the more he would enjoy making them fall.
However in his arrogance he didn't pay heed to the woman's actions and almost paid for it dearly. For as his eyes finally took note of the lightsaber at her hip Asthaea quickly took advantage of his distraction and using the Force caused the Sith Lord to go flying towards the edges of the canyon. From within his mask the fallen Jedi's eyes widen in surprise for but a brief moment before the rush of fury took control.
He should have known better than to have let himself be so easily caught off guard and quickly tapped into the dark side to increase his body's reflexes. Though in his opinion the reaction time was sluggish by comparison to his own flesh the mechanics responded to the dark rush of power. With a string of Huttese curses he had barely managed to stop his body from completely careening off the canyon's edge and was now hanging over the ledge by his left hand which had dug in deeply into the thick ice. He tried to ignore the sharp pain brought on by having to hold his entire body's weight with his mechanical left hand but it was difficult. For while the technology of his lower arm proved more than sufficiant, his shoulder still made of flesh cried out fiercely in protest as he forced himself to shut off his lightsaber that still remained in his right hand. Then quickly slapping it back into his hilt he swiftly placed his now free hand deeply into the ice to even the weight and began to tap into the dark side once more.
If there was one thing that still remained ingrained into his thoughts about Obi-Wan's teachings it was the imparative need to be mindful of one's lightsaber. But this was the last concious thought on his mind as through the dark side he then proceeded to flip his body back up onto the canyon's edge. Once his feet were firmly planted onto solid ground Darth Vader didn't hesitate to return his attentions back to the bridge and promptly moved to close the space between them once more.
As Vader was thrown backward and almost off the cliff, she started to run across the icy bridge, using her Jedi reflexes to keep her balance and not follow him into the river.
There was no splash.
She prayed his new limbs were not as efficient as her own natural legs.
But luck was not on her side and Vader was soon closing the distance between them.
Asþæa was nearly to the other side of the bridge when she whipped around, her eyes widened to see just how near he was. She put up her hand once more as her other hand reached for the lightsaber she might end up having to use after all.
She was no match for him with a blade, she knew that. Probably a few padawans could take her as well with her lack of skill, but that was not what she had in mind...
The Jedi knight tried to run but the Sith Lord was too determined now to permit her to make much distance. Moving rapidly he used the darkness to increase the speed and agility lacking in his new form. It was frustrating but in this moment he was almost grateful for the anger it encouraged as it gave him more access to the darkside's rush of power. Feeling it gather around him was almost intoxicating, just as it was to see Asthaea's eyes widen slightly in surprise to the close proximity of his presence.
Once more he activated his lightsaber, though was now ready for any possible attacks she might unleash. A wry smirk crept into his features as he noted her reaching for her lightsaber. He knew she wouldn't stand a chance although the thought of her attempting to battle him was more than a little amusing.
"You have already lost and yet you still feel the need to draw this out. An admirable trait but a foolish one none the less."
The fallen Jedi taunted as he moved to attack.
'Why yes,' she replied, figuring she may as well keep him talking. 'You've caught on to my plan.' Asþæa moved backwards, drawing her lightsaber and igniting it. The bright green blade hummed to life as she continued to retreat, hoping to be the first on solid ground to use it to her advantange.
'Haven't used one of these in ages,' she remarked offhandedly before tossing it at him.
She knew it wouldn't hit him, that he would probably dodge it with ease and it would fly into the river.
She didn't care for it bought her a split second to summon everything she had within her to destroy his lightsaber with the Force.
Asþæa closed her eyes, as she reached out with the Force to manipulate the particles within the saber so it would implode.
His eyes narrowed at her words as he hardly found them amusing. He found her lack of fear to be disrespectful and it only served to add to his temper which continued to rise. She drew her lightsaber and he laughed in reply, this would be amusing indeed.
But then she tossed it at him instead her words still mocking to his ears though he easily dodged it.
"So you choose to face your end without a fight? How noble."
The Sith Lord mocked dryly before moving to make the final killing blow. But she was quicker and through his mask the Fallen Jedi felt a shift in the Force and heard a strange sound that reminded him of glass shattering. His eyes shifted to his lightsaber and instantly he knew what she had done. For the bright red blade suddenly cracked and dissappeared leaving only a now damaged hilt within his gloved fingers.
Furious now he tossed the damaged lightsaber aside as he moved swiftly forward his eyes narrowing as he gathered the darkness around him. Then extending his right hand he let the dark force slip past his fingers like a serpant unravelling from his arms moving to strike and choke the unarmed Jedi Knight.
High midi-chlorian count or not, she would prolong this battle as long as she could, praying the others were on their way to safety. She anticipated he would use the Force against her and she put up her hand to stop him.
However, this too would not last forever, for she had spent so much energy and quickly to destroy his lightsaber.
She convinced herself she just needed to hold on a little longer...
She blocked his attack obviously prepared for this course of action. But he was just as stubborn and didn't back down in his attack as he continued to tap into his rage and bitter hatred for the Jedi. Reminding himself of the betrayals commited against him, the fact they tried to stifle his growth in the Force, and most importantly the fact it was because of the Jedi that his angel was now dead by his hands.
The sorrow felt at this thought only added to the swirling storm within. As such the darkness grew more intoxicating to him and he drew on it as though it were a drug that would give him sweet release from his pain and silence the doubts that lingered deep within.
Moving forward slowly the dark lord struggled against the barrier Asthaea set up to protect herself from him. The light burnt almost as bad as Mustafar's lava but he too used this pain to amplify his rage, until finally he drew in all of his strength and lowered his own mental defenses slightly so that the Dark side could tap into him more freely.
But it wasn't without its price and as he guided the surge of the Dark Side towards his prey he could almost feel it pulling at his flesh and tearing at his mind. But in his anger and blindness he was unaware that it was also ravaging what little light was left within him snuffing it out like small flames in a storm.
However even if he was aware it would have mattered little for all that was on his mind was that the warrior before him died and painfully.
His hate was burning. She felt it through her fingertips, but Asþæa was adamant about holding out as long as possible. The longer she could distract him...
But her thoughts were becoming unstuck, unable to focus.
The Dark Side was slowly seeping through her defense, pulling thin strings a hair's circumference at a time, ripping, tearing.
But as the pain became almost too much to bear, where she would nearly lower her hand and let him overtake her, Asþæa felt an almost otherworldy sensation overwhelm her. There was no longer any pain as her soul climbed to the eternal Force.
It was bright and warm, but in a different way from the searing Dark Force that was challenging her. It was the very definition of serenity and a joyous, peaceful smile came upon her face as she looked up, ready to meet it.
And then the Jedi who was Asþæa was at one with the Force having achieved the ultimate enlightened state.
Despite his hatred for her and for all she represented even Darth VAder had to give her credit for withstanding his attack for as long as she had. But in the end the darkness began to consume even her powerful ray of light and he relished it with great eagerness. He could sense her pain and it was like sweet but toxic nector to his senses. For as much as he enjoyed watching her suffer beneath the storms of darkness, the embers that was once Anakin were dying along with her.
However for all of his desire to savor his victory Asthaea's passing was far too swift for his liking and instead of fear he saw the mocking smile of peace. A serene reminder of all he could have achieved, but never would for there can be no peace in face of darkness and no true rest for the wicked.
As her body breathed its last breathe the Sith Lord didn't remain a moment longer. As with the previous Fallen Jedi's passing there was something unsettling about this moment and though he managed to bury the disconcerting thoughts, it would return to haunt him later.
But for now his blood lust was sated and his need for vengeance had been eased. Leaving him to quietly trudge back over the snowy bridge to the landing pad where his ship waited for his return.
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