Chapter #4Sith Artifact by: Jey   As it turned out, Amrisso was nothing but a dead rock, with no trace of anything related to either Sith or Jedi. At least, that's how it appeared on the surface. Ashoka could definitely sense something living on the planet but where? As she traversed the dry landscape looking for any sign of what sought, the heat of the planet's four suns beat down upon her without mercy. Thirst, hunger, and fatigue soon set in but she refused to give in. She'd heard that Jedi Masters could use the Force to sustain themselves when food and water were absent, if only for a short time. Ashoka would be the first to admit she was far from the Rank of Master, she knew she had try.
The former Padawan was surprised to find that, after only a few minutes of concentration, she felt a considerable increase in her energy and stamina. More than that, she could feel the familiar warmth in her body again. It was more subtle than usual, but it was there.
Two days into her trek, Ashoka's energy began to fade and she came to rest in a spacious cave. Although it seemed as if she had been wondering aimlessly, she felt content and certain she was close to her destination. These thoughts allowed her to drift into a sleep more peaceful than she'd had in quite some time.
As Ashoka slept, she dreamed. They felt almost like her visions, but different, stronger somehow. She saw her past as a Padawan and her time fighting in the Clone Wars before the dream dissolved into new scenes of a young man named Luke training to be a Jedi and facing off against a Sith Lord in black armor called Darth Vader. Both reminded her of Anakin for some reason. The last thing she saw and heard before waking up was Vader telling Luke that he was his father.
Shaking her head to clear her mind, the former Padawan saw that it was now morning and left the cave to continue her quest. She was surprised to find the landscape had changed entirely to one that resembled the desert planet of Jakku. Ashoka had never been there before but knew the reputation of it's scavengers well enough. The Force had sent her, that much was certain, but why?
She walked only a short time until she found what appeared to be a graveyard of ships, none of which she even remotely recognized. A scavenger was in the middle of leaving one of them when she approached. Ashoka know almost immediately that it was female.
The scavenger surprised the former Padawan by walking towards her, removing her head-wrap as she went. "Hello Ahoka," she said with a smile "I've been expecting you."
Ashoka stared at the Scaveger with wide eyes. She seemed barely older than her but the Force practically radiated from her body. It was almost unreal! "Are you Master Ellora?"
The scavenger laughed. "Not hardly. My name's Rey. Master Ellora sent me here to test you on her behalf. She knows you're worthy, but she feels each of her pupils should be treated equally."
"And...you're one of them I take it?" "I will be, someday." Ashoka was a bit put off by this strange response. Before she could ask about it, Rey said "right then. Are you ready?" "For what?" "For the trials of course."
The scavenger walked back towards the ship graveyard as it morphed into the entrance to some kind of arena. Ashoka quickly followed, but was still very confused. "Wait a minute! What kind of 'trials' are we talking about?"
"So glad you asked." Rey said as they stepped fully into the arena. It was huge and built like an ancient coliseum. There was even a throne placed above them for some kind of ruler to sit in and pass judgement. One thing that struck Ashoka was how big it was.
She was so distracted by the sight that she nearly tripped over the staff that had suddenly appeared at her feet. Rey just smiled and motioned for her to pick it up. "Your first trial is a simple armed combat against me. Ready? Begin!"
Ashoka had never fought with anything other than a light-saber, but her sheer determination helped her keep pace with Rey despite the later's almost unnatural skill. A full hour passed before Rey said "well done, let's call it a draw."
Ashoka nodded and tried not to look as winded as she actually was. The thick sheen of sweat that coated her body obviously didn't help. But she smiled, knowing she was one step closer to her goal.
"Next, we'll test your overall physical strength and endurance. Lift this barbell." Rey gestured to the weight as it appeared beside her. Ashoka gulped: it was the exact same weight she had struggled with during the vision that started all this.
The former Padawan started to feel her confidence wane and was hesitant to approach. Rey merely chuckled. "Not feeling up to it? How 'bout if we make it a bit more interesting? Like say, turn it into a contest?"
A second, identical barbell appeared beside Ashoka. This was followed by a third, fourth, and fifth one. Rey approached one and the others were soon approached by three figures who appeared from out of nowhere. Ashoka knew right away that one was Asaji Ventress, her body as normal as it always was. The other two took her by surprise: it was Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren! Both looked normal as well, but smirking just the same.
"Everyone lifts until they can't lift anymore." Rey instructed "Ready? Begin!" Everyone but Ashoka gripped the bar right away. She wasn't sure if she could do it, but the smirking faces of her rivals convinced her to give it her all. She strained with effort, sweating even more profusely for several minutes until she was finally able to lift it over her head.
The former Padawan was rewarded with a surge of power through her body. Her muscles expanded noticably and the warm sensation returned, making her moan softly in pleasure. Ashoka then looked to see Rey and the others had gone through similar changes. To her chargin, they looked bigger and stronger than her. "Very nice," Rey commented "looks like everyone passed the first round. On to Round two!"
The Barbell suddenly doubled in weight and everyone attempted to lift it again. Ashoka strained even more than before despite her increased strength, her knuckles white and her face red. Still, she once again completed the lift and was rewarded with another bout of muscle growth. She now resembled a lightweight female bodybuilder. "Round three!"  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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