Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 5 Episode 20 [aftermath]
Year is 19 BBY

A GALAXY AT WAR
Chapter TBD

"Never give up hope, no matter how dark things seem."

Lightning flashed across the sky- illuminating the entryway of the Jedi Temple. The pillars stood tall looming over the grounds and in the white bursts of light they cast even longer shadows. Rain beat down upon the planet's surface mercilessly, everything was soaked with wetness and small waves were beginning to flow in the streets. Pools of water formed on the steps of the Temple where lightning reflected back the face of the world. From the vantage point atop one of the columns Zenovia Royce could see a wide range of Coruscant's skyline, however, her gaze was fixated on the long walkway leading up to the Temple. Someone was making an unauthorized departure, with stolen lightsabers, and a vengeance needed to be settled.

Returning to a standing position Zenovia stepped off the top edge of the pillar and began to slide down. Droplets splashed around her and she was unfazed by the ground rushing towards her. The raging storm covered the physical sounds of her movement and Zenovia made no attempt to conceal herself by use of the Force. She was going to challenge the traitor and no element of surprise would benefit her. She was tired of the lies and deceit and desired to face the fallen Jedi directly. Launching herself off of the column Zenovia utilized a Force aided jump to land a safe distance behind the escapee. While in the air she ignited her blade and again used the Force to throw her lightsaber at the target and pull it back causing a narrow boomerang shape to happen. The former Padawan was not amused as the purple colored weapon whizzed by her head. Another stab of lightning split the sky as thunder boomed overhead, in the light Zenovia stood waiting for Barriss Offee to face her.

Zenovia held her blade low pointed at the ground while the raindrops hissed in contact against the heat source. The purple light altered the color of a puddle at her boots while the rest of the landscape was painted in grey, white, and black. Zenovia was brimming with emotional energy- it had not been more than a month since Ahsoka Tano had been cleared of all charges against her and invited back to the Order... and yet... she had refused and walked away. Zenovia was incomprehensibly saddened at the revelation, especially when it was Barriss who committed all the foul acts. Her anger was rising and not just with Barriss for her dark deeds, but also with the Council's actions, and with her close friend from leaving without so much as a goodbye.

"Is this the best the Order can do?" Barriss asked with a mocking tone. "Of all the Jedi, even the Younglings, at their disposal they sent you to recapture me?"

"I am not here for any official business Barriss. Though, you should know there is a bounty for your return, alive or dead." Zenovia returned with a dangerous glare in her golden yellow eyes. She knew they were equally matched in some aspects. Both females had two lightsabers, Barriss had taken up the red twin blades of Asajj Ventress once again. Since Ahsoka's trial Zenovia had almost exclusively used two blades in combat as a tribute for her lost friend and to better improve her skills. Throughout their days of training Zenovia knew Barriss used Form III/Soresu and now they both had experience in Jar'Kai. Where Barriss was faster- Zenovia was stronger. She knew of her own superior connection with the Force, but the one condition that always came back to disrupt Zenovia was her own lack of a powerful lightsaber fighting style.

Simultaneously they launched themselves at one another. Purple and red blades clashed as their yellow and blue eyes met. Zenovia kept her second lightsaber attached to her belt to wait for the opportunity to seize an advantage. Barriss made no such plan and wanted to dispatch the duel quickly to avoid being caught by the security force soon to be upon them. The Mirialan pushed off Zenovia's blade and did a backspin in the air to create distance between them.

The rain continued to fall in its heavy weight. The former Padawan was trying to distract Zenovia in the storm to gain the upper hand. Running around in a pivotal fashion Barriss kept Zenovia at a central distance. Seeking to interfere with whatever method the traitor had she rolled her lightsaber hilt around to the reverse grip method and charged head on. Internally she cursed herself for fighting so unlike her normal composed self, she was beginning to make reckless decisions. If he were there Master Kenobi would scold her for receding into a childlike state of combat rather than drawing from her natural maturity. In her stride the Pantoran swung a wide slash at Barriss and caught both of her red blades in the act. Bringing her other hand to support the hilt Zenovia struck the Mirialan in the side with her boot.

It was not all the purely offensive seemingly winning fight that the opening moves had portrayed. Barriss changed to a pressing urgency in her movements and started using both of her lightsabers independently. This development caused Zenovia to move on the defensive and rely heavily on her physical strength to stop the fallen apprentice's blows. Together they danced around one another's strikes and matched each other step for step. That was until Barriss decided to try and Force push Zenovia away. The blue skinned female raised her hand to counteract the same motion in her opponent and easily blasted Barriss over. Seizing the opening she rushed at her foe and their lightsabers collided as Zenovia pressed down on the Mirialan's defenses. Her purple blade inched closer and closer, narrowing the gap between the twin lightsabers and yellowy green skin.

"Ahsoka's gone! Just get over it." Barriss sneered at her. The former Padawan's arms were starting to shake slightly as she tired in the defensive position. Zenovia looked down on her, the rain framing her mostly covered head in translucent shades against the darkened pavement. Her golden eyes blazed in aggression as she took in the sight of the once praised apprentice. She still did not understand why Barriss had decided to blow up the hanger, innocent lives were lost, all for the anti war agenda... and what did it solve? Nothing. The Jedi Order was in more chaos and discord than ever before and the Republic was loosing trust in their long time peacekeepers. Ahsoka had been one of the most promising Padawans, despite some members not agreeing with all of her and Master Skywalker's methods. Zenovia knew she would make one of the greatest teachers, determined, a natural leader, talented in swordplay, and a loyal friend...

Zenovia's grip faltered as she was overcome with memories of her time with Ahsoka. Barriss sensed her lack of conviction and exerted herself to get out from under Zenovia. In one labored motion the yellowy green skinned female pushed her twin blades upwards causing Zenovia to step back to avoid being cut. This left her open for Barriss to plant a swift kick with both feet right in Zenovia's abdomen. The Pantoran went flying backwards due to the Force augmented kick, as she fell Zenovia sheathed her lightsaber. She skidding to a halt flat on her back and for a moment stared up at the ravage sky with the wind knocked out of her. Regaining her breath she jumped to her feet and stared down Barriss across from her.

"You are standing where she stood!" Zenovia exclaimed, having a glimpse of when Ahsoka disappeared of sight down the stairs. Zenovia had been watching from one of the Temple's windows with Master Kenobi. She could not hear what Master Skywalker had said to his Padawan, but it was not enough to convince her to stay. There were no Jedi Masters present now and Zenovia would not allow Barriss to escape a life of prison. She owed that justice to Ahsoka, the other victims, and herself. "You should have left the Order, Barriss, you did not need to kill people!" She cried out, her anger rising again.

"The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence," the former Padawan spat back. "I did what I had to do to unveil the flawed nature of the Order."

"The only flaw in our ranks lies with you."

Zenovia reached for both of her lightsabers, the two standard hilts were only identical in their length. Slowly she extended the purple and blue blades and held them pointing outwards in traditional grip. Barriss had regained her standing composure and was ready for another round. Zenovia was ready, she had released her anger and other dragging emotions. She exhaled and inhaled to relax her mind. At one point in her life the thought of lightsaber combat stressed her to the point where she felt sick. In this fight she felt confident in her abilities to succeed, her style was unique in utilizing many Force aided feats.

The rain seemed to slow in time to match her breaths evenly. As lightning stretched across the clouds Zenovia broke into a sprint towards Barriss. Raising her left hand Zenovia propelled her lightsaber at the Mirialan. She watched as Barriss's eyes widened in the blue light and she just barely managed to raise her own lightsabers in a crossed fashion to block the blow. Before she could react Zenovia was already on top of her striking down with both blades in hand.

Locked in combat the two of them flew around the pavement sending streams of water in every direction. They spun in circles from the deadly dance and neither side yielded any weakness. Each blade had repeated clash after clash and Zenovia moved to gain the advantage by switching between traditional and reversed grip methods. Her close knit fluid motions out maneuvered Barriss's long wide sweeps. Unlike the former apprentice Zenovia fought with her lightsabers in separate motions as well as matched. Due to the Pantoran's constantly changing rhythm Barriss was left unable to counteract efficiently enough and in the defensive gap Zenovia kicked one of her lightsabers away. The red blade was extinguished as it skidded away across the wet pavement.

The Pantoran pressed on with an unrelenting drive. She sensed the fatigue in Barriss and wanted to finish the duel on her own terms. Zenovia continued her offensive string of attacks and drove the traitor on the run. Catching her opponent off guard by splashing water in her face Zenovia's blade cut Barriss's forearm and she dropped her remaining lightsaber. Using the Force Zenovia pulled the twin blades to her own command and ignited them to float around the Mirialan in a barrier. She would not end her former friend's life, instead she would be taken back into custody and placed in a proper cell. Zenovia watched as Barriss clutched her wounded arm in pain and realized she had been beaten.

"Zenovia!"

Glancing forward towards the Temple she saw her master rushing to her along with Master Skywalker, Master Unduli, and a squadron of red clone troopers. Swiftly the fight was over as Unduli brought her former apprentice to a standing position while one of the clones handcuffed her. Skywalker grabbed both of the red lightsabers and stayed behind as the clones with Unduli escorted Barriss back to captivity. Her own master placed a hand on her shoulder and she returned her blades back to her belt. The two older Jedi watched the golden eyed female carefully, for what Zenovia was unsure of. It could be that they expected her to break down- she did feel like crying but no tears would come. Or that they were surprised she had taken on the duel and won. For whatever reason she was grateful they were there and found comfort in their presence.

"You fought well," Anakin said complimenting her. "and we- including Ahsoka- are proud of you."

Her mind raced back to when she first properly met Anakin Skywalker. He had been in a brutish mood and did not want Zenovia around due to her nearly nonexistent lightsaber combat abilities. Not to mention she had been the oldest Youngling and was late in her formal apprenticeship. She had feared that he did not like her, but, in time they had grown to understand their differences and on some occasions she and Ahsoka had been referred to as younger female versions of their own masters.

"Let us get you inside and out of this storm." Obi-Wan said to her, remarking on her appearance which was awfully drenched. Her normally grey robes seemed to be several shades darker and her lilac hair clung to her head. Together the three of them walked back inside the Temple where they paused in the entry way. Zenovia was uncertain of what to do next. She did need to change into dry clothes but there was another pressing matter that required her attention first. Both mentors still had expressions of concern on their face.

"I am going to be fine. It is not yet at the acceptance stage, but, in time it will be alright." Zenovia said solemnly explaining her status on coming to terms with Ahsoka's departure. The lingering absence of the Togruta was prevalent as their quartet no longer sounded the same. Her mature reasoning reassured the older Jedi that she was actually recovering.

"I'm glad to see this progress." Obi-Wan expressed with his usual optimism. "If you feel up to it Anakin and I have been assigned a new mission on Ringo Vinda to fight the invading Separatist force- if you are able to join us you are welcome to. Though I understand if you need to remain here for this one." He offered her a choice. Zenovia felt that a weight had been taken off of her by beginning the the steps for healing. She wanted to keep the forward momentum joining and decided to partake in the mission. The two of them were happy to see that she was regaining her old self. Obi-Wan instructed her to meet him and Anakin down in the hangars in one hour to depart. In the meantime Zenovia returned to her shared dormitory where after a hot shower and a change of clothes she felt ready to embark on the next mission. This new life without Ahsoka was going to take an adjustment period- but she had to keep going strong for her friend and for the Jedi Order.

Author's Note

This is going out of order for the chronological narrative events. I have been struggling to write the chapters and other events has they happen in the cannon timeline and oddly enough my muse has been incredibly high for later seasons's events. Eventually they will be updated in order but for now I felt bad having such a long delay in proper updates. So enjoy this future chapter of about 2,500 words- the content before and after will come in time. Reviews give me motivation to continue writing.