Master and Padawan/Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Darth Vader stood there, humming saber in his hand. That fight was a tough ordeal for him. The initial shock of finding out his former padawan was still alive gave way to a repulsion and hatred when he remembered the treason of the damned Jedis. Then his memories came back and for just a split second he toyed with the idea of going back, taking her in as his apprentice again. But that was just a dream, a mirage to be pursued but never attained. She made it clear.

"This is your last stance" he warned. "Nothing else was spared from what you once believed."

"Then I will die an honorable death" she spit out with fervent conviction. "Honor thrives even after the life burns out."

"Young fool!" he shouted. "Only now at the end you will understand. Your honor is no match to the power of the Dark Side. Now you will pay the price for your lack of vision and perish" he jumped forward gaining momentum. Like a machine, like a droid, a mass of flash and metal, a speeding bullet - he struck down on her, crushing through her defense, breaking her sabers apart, cutting and burning.

Ahsoka managed to try a dodge but she was to weak. Blood drain and her injuries made her too slow, too weak to avoid the killing hit of the Dark Lord and she failed at saving herself. With a massive wound opening up her torso she convulsively breathed in, struggling to remain conscious.

"You will not succeed with your abominations" she whispered and spit blood. "Someday, someone, somehow will bring you down" she wheezed.

The one who used to call himself Anakin came over his victim and looked down on her. He drew his saber back and put it back on his belt. He knelt on one knee beside the dying Togruta.

"You put up a good fight. And although you are a fool, Ahsoka, but a brave fool you are and you will receive a knight's funeral."

"There is still good in you" she managed her last whisper. "I know it..." she coughed up more blood and fell limp on the ground.

Vader reached over and closed her glassy, blind eyes. Then he effortlessly lifted the mutilated body and moved aside, collecting her lightsabers with Force pull.

It was an hour later when he turned his back toward a small funeral pile and the fire that already died away. Last smoldering charred branches sent a column of faint smoke in the air. He meditated a bit as he walked back to his starfighter. He lifted it up and reached orbit piloting the craft automatically. His mind was preoccupied with more than this ordinary task.

As he landed an officer approached saluting him.

"We have noticed a smoke on the surface, my Lord. Have you come into any trouble? Should we make a report to the Emperor now?"

"No" he growled. "It was just a crazy old hermit" he lied with a sour grin so well hidden by his helmet. "I burned his hut right down together with him. Nothing more than just an accidental extra training. Forget it and leave me alone" he demanded harshly. "Have my meditation chamber ready immediately."

He marched forward, not paying any more attention to the soldier. His heavy steps echoed in the empty docking bay and his tall, dark, ghastly figure moved on toward the bright rectangle of the elevator lit up at the end of the walkway.