Chapter 19: The Spark that Lights a Fire

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Dr. Onsourl Pestis
5 ABY
Imperial Medical Research Laboratory
Wobani

Dr. Pestis stood in front of Ahsoka Tano, listening to her whine about how unfair her life was. It's not like he had made her suffer. At least not yet.

He certainly understood why the Emperor requested that she be the specimen to clone for his army. Ahsoka was one of the most loyal people he'd ever seen. Her family meant everything to her, and she was willing to risk everything to get back to them.

But, as much as Dr. Pestis admired her persistence, her constant attempted escapes were beginning to annoy him. He had been forced to put her in a solitary confinement cell and chain her to the wall until she calmed down. She would get over herself eventually.

Now, standing in front of her again, Dr. Pestis couldn't help but pity Ahsoka. If he had been about ten years younger, the doctor would've let Ahsoka go. Part of him wanted to set her free and pay the consequences himself, but he knew it wasn't possible anymore. Not after what had happened to him.

Ahsoka had to stay. She had to pay for what the Jedi had done to him and his family. The Muuns were a proud species, and he was going to uphold his honor at all costs.

"You are a monster." She whispered.

"I know, darling. We've had this conversation numerous times. Give it a rest and let me give you the daily dosage."

"No!" She struggled against the metal chains, trying to break free.

It was simple: one syringe of a force inhibitor, two cardiovascular boosters, and maybe a ration bar. "The more you resist, the more painful this is going to be. Haven't you learned to trust me by now?"

"Trust you?" she spat back at him. "You killed me, killed my child, and took my family away. Every day, you poison me with those awful medications. When are you going to realize that I'm a living being and not just another science experiment?"

It was true, she was a living being. That's why he occasionally gave her food. "You are Experiment 2187. You are mine."

-:-:-:-:-:-

Ahsoka Tano
12 ABY
Naberrie Outpost
Naboo

Ahsoka was very disappointed that she had been tracked. She wasn't surprised, given all of the things the doctor had stuck in her body. She'd had more operations than she could count; one of the doctors should give her a scan once they sorted out this whole tracker mess.

Lux had been so kind to her. He asked her to dinner and talked to her like he had a genuine interest in her well-being. Based on some of the things he'd said, Ahsoka could definitely tell that they'd met before. She could tackle that mystery once she got her memories back.

It was dark in the tunnels. She could feel the planet breathing around her as they ran through the dirt. Lux was worried, and Kal had no idea what was going on. For the short time that she'd known them, she could tell this was a normal day for them.

"Where exactly are we going?" Kal asked, stopping to catch his breath. They had reached a fork in the path.

Lux stopped short, almost running into Kal. "The command center. I think it's to the right."

Ahsoka shook her head, even though they couldn't see her in the dark. The tunnel to the left was the right way. It felt wrong to go right. "No, it's to the left."

"How do you know? You haven't even been here before! I bet you don't even remember my name." Kal started running to the right, completely ignoring her.

Lux placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's just a bit annoyed that someone else is getting more attention than him."

"It's fine. He reminds me of someone I used to know a long time ago."

"Who?"

She paused, searching for his name. It was on the tip of her tongue, but she simply couldn't remember. "I... I don't know."

"Oh," Lux sighed, disappointed. "Why do you want to go left?"

"I can't explain it, but it feels like the right way to go." She started running down the left tunnel, Lux following closely behind her.

-:-:-:-:-:-

As the walls began to transition into metal, Ahsoka slowed her pace. She had been here before.

"Lux, what is this place?"

He gave her a strange look. "It's an old Separatist lab back from the Clone Wars. You used to tell me the story of the mad doctor and the virus and the adventure you had whilst saving the planet."

She stroked her hand across the wall, feeling the grooves and dents in the surface. "The Clone Wars?"

He nodded. "Yes. Maybe once we get this thing with the tracker all sorted out, I can tell you the stories you used to tell me."

"Yeah, that sounds nice. I'd like that very much."

Ahsoka rounded the corner and wandered into an open room. The lights didn't work, but she didn't need them to see. Old guns were scattered about the room by pieces of white armor. Matching helmets were placed in a row on top of a crate presumably filled with explosives.

This used to be a lab, she thought, so why does it look like a war zone?

"It doesn't look like this room has been touched in years," Lux's voice echoed through the room.

"No, but it has been. Someone moved these helmets and put them in line." She picked one up and examined it.

Suddenly, the room faded into a red haze. People's faces flashed before her eyes, saying different things.

"Get inside, Captain!"

"Ahsoka, what's going on down there?"

"Ugh, some of the virus got in here."

"Are you contaminated?"

"Naboo is safe from further contamination."

"Goodbye, Anakin."

She heard glass shatter. Her hand patted her left hip as if it were looking for something, but there was nothing there. What did it mean? 

Ahsoka inhaled deeply, but something was hindering her. A blue gas swirled around her, and she was brought back to the present. She coughed and looked around. The door to the room had closed, leaving her and Lux sealed inside. Lux had his arm around her, helping her stand.

"Ahsoka! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. A little better than fine, actually. When I touched that helmet, I saw people and heard things. I... I think it was a memory."

"A memory?" He sounded almost hopeful. "Did you catch any names?"

She nodded. "Anakin. Do you know who he is?"

"Anakin, huh? I know who he is. Or rather, was. I could tell you stories all day about Anakin Skywalker. But first, we have a big problem."

It was only then that she noticed the gas wasn't a figment of her imagination. There was a blanket of blue around her legs, making it impossible to see the ground beneath her feet.

He let out a heavy sigh. "I was afraid of something like this when Leia said it was in an old Separatist lab. I should've trusted my gut. The infamous Blue Shadow Virus has made an appearance once again."



A/N: Yes, you read that correctly. The Blue Shadow Virus is back in business! Aren't we all super excited XD I know I am because I know where this is going, but I could understand if you're fearing for the general safety of some characters right now.

Even though it wasn't a clear picture, Ahsoka remembered something! Could this glimpse of the past possibly be the beginning of a larger discovery? By the way, this title isn't just referring to Ahsoka's memories suddenly coming back. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I just got home from an exhausting day of travel, and I'm falling asleep. It's almost 1:30 in the morning where I am, so I have no idea how much of this came out in English. Seriously. I've been in a Spanish-speaking country for almost two weeks and my mind is still trying to translate everything for me.

Brain: I'm just trying to help!

Well quit helping. I wanna sleep.

Most of this chapter was written on a plane with screaming young children and some adult who just had to bless all 175 of us with their music/games/whatever the heck they were doing for 2.5 hours straight SO MUCH SO that the flight attendants made 2 announcements over the intercom and had a little chit chat with said individual. Long story short, I'm glad to be home.

I'll post something either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It depends on how much unpacking I get done in the morning.

I'll see you soon, and may the force be with you!

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