Ghost of Nightmares Past/Chapter 4

The three of them ran as fast as they could, sabres in hand and ready, as more footsteps could be heard rushing through the temple grounds. Obi-Wan was running at full pelt in order to keep up with both Garen and Anakin, who both had longer legs, trying hard to not slow down and fall behind. The sound of fountains began to hit his ears. There was a crowd ahead of them, and, instantly, Anakin and Garen shoved through, with Obi-Wan bringing up the rear.

A horrific sight caused him to stop.

The padawan he had told to clean the fountain room was lying on the ground, her own sabre in her body, eyes wide and blank. Obi-Wan shoved Anakin aside and ran to her side, as another Jedi joined him. Obi-Wan placed his hand on her head, as someone screamed, "LET ME THROUGH!"

Master Hana, a human, stood at the edge of the crowd. Her face fell and she collapsed to the ground, wailing her head off. "Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly, "Go to Master Hana and take care of her please."

Anakin moved behind him and slowly picked up Master Hana from the ground and led her away to the fountain. Obi-Wan concentrated the force through his hand on the padawan's head, trying to pick up any life signs. Finally, he looked up at the Jedi opposite him, and shook his head. The Jedi nodded sadly and slowly pulled the sabre out from the togruta girl's body, before he and Garen lifted the body into their arms and walked away. Obi-Wan turned to survey the scene before him.

Another will die for every mistake you make.

He jumped slightly, and stared around. No, he told himself. I'm hearing things. He cleared his throat, and said, "Master Secura, Master Gallia, can you take the younglings back to their quarters. Master Aalto," He frowned at his old enemy. "Can you and Anakin take Master Hana to her quarters?"

Aalto glared at him, before moving off to where Anakin and Master Hana sat. Obi-Wan felt someone tap his leg and he peered down to see Master Yoda. "What happened?"

"Someone must have discovered the padawan dead here." Obi-Wan explained quickly, as the crowd slowly dispersed. "Myself, Anakin and Master Muln heard screams, so we rushed to the source. I checked the padawan's life-energy." He shook his head. "She's gone."

"Troublesome, this is." Yoda said, stroking his chin slightly. "Speak to the padawan's family, I will."

"Would you like me to do anything Master?" Ahsoka asked them.

Obi-Wan rubbed his forehead slightly, before saying, "Could you gather the padawan's belongings? I don't think Master Hana is in any fit state of mind to do so herself."

"Yes Master." Ahsoka said, and she left. "Master Skywalker." She added, bowing to her master. Obi-Wan suddenly felt very tired, and he bowed slightly to Yoda, and excused himself, walking back to his quarters.

Anakin and Aalto helped Master Hana along to her quarters, while Ahsoka trailed behind. Anakin could sense a feeling of sadness and anger coming from the master, but kept a tight grip on her arm. When they reached her quarters, he took her key card and pressed it in its slot, opening the door. Once inside, he sent Ahsoka to pack the padawan's things, but she lingered slightly as Aalto led Hana to her couch. "Master," Ahsoka said quietly, so that only Anakin could hear. "I saw Luisa earlier; she was fighting another padawan, and me as well."

Anakin turned to her, as she looked glumly at the ground, "Master, I completely shamed her, and Master Kenobi gave her a detention because of it."

Anakin placed his hands on Ahsoka's shoulders. "Don't blame yourself Snips." He said comfortingly. "None of this was anyone's fault."

"But..."

"Don't worry about it just now," Anakin said, leading her, arm on her shoulders to the sleeping area. "Just, do what you need to do."

"I feel so guilty, like it was my fault; I said such horrible things."

Anakin then did something she never expected; he hugged her. Ahsoka accepted it, trying her best to not cry into his chest. "Go, and I'll tend to Master Hana."

Ahsoka released herself from him and walked up the spiral staircase to Master Hana's and Luisa's quarters. Anakin watched her go, before moving towards Aalto and Hana. He sat next to her and asked, "Can I get you anything?"

"My padawan back," She said, her eyes staring into space, glazed completely over. Aalto had his hand on her back, and Anakin turned away from them. "I thank you for what you're doing for me, both of you."

At that moment, Anakin's comm. Link beeped. He excused himself and walked towards the other end of the room before answering it. "Skywalker."

"Is everything alright?" Obi-Wan's voice sounded from the other end.

Anakin gazed over at Master Hana and Aalto. "I think she's just shocked more than anything."

"Just stay with her Anakin," Obi-Wan said, "I'm busy writing up a report on the padawan's injuries."

"Did you find anything?"

"Actually," Obi-Wan said, and Anakin could imagine him stroking his beard. "I did."

"What did you find?" Anakin demanded.

"Well, for starters," Obi-Wan said, his voice sounding a bit quiet. "The sabre was pushed into her body rather forcefully, as though someone had done it." There was a short pause. "And her arm broke when she fell, as though she tried to stop herself from falling after the blow, but she injured herself. Another thing, Anakin, is that her force energy is not her own; it's someone else."

"She was possessed?" Anakin said a bit too loudly, causing Master Hana and Aalto to look at him. He stared at his comm. Link, waiting for Obi-Wan to answer his question.

"Yes, which means that no-one in the temple is safe Anakin; including you."