warnings: character death

a/n: i hope you enjoy! the bold/italicized words belong to a certain character, and if you read ahead, you'll find out!!

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It was time.

The thundering sound of synchronized footsteps echoed through Ahsoka's montrals. Through the darkness and fog, there was tension pulled taut as if the Force itself was holding its breath. 

Kneeling in front of Ahsoka was Krell, who was on his knees with his four arms cuffed behind him. He chuckled occasionally as he glanced around the room. Clone troopers surrounded him before his eyes landed on the togruta, a cruel smile pulling at his mouth. Ahsoka's nose wrinkled in revulsion as he laughed louder and held back a snarl as she kept her stance. Nothing was said, but it was clear that no one in the room pitied the fallen Jedi.

As the footsteps stopped, Ahsoka looked around to see that the soldiers had their weapons at the ready. She ignited her lightsaber, her weapon casting a greenish glow around the room and lighting Krell's face in a malicious light. Her grip tightened as she stepped forward, the click of her boots shattering the silence. 

She didn't need any more deaths occurring today.

"Why did you do it?"

Ahsoka had known that the General was a renowned Jedi from the whispers that traveled through the Jedi Temple. It seemed however, that the praises proved to be false. She couldn't understand how he could do something so...so barbaric.

"Do what?" The besalisk's head turned slightly, holding eye contact with her. She could already see his eyes rimmed in gold, just as oily as his now exposed presence. She shuddered.

"Don't play dumb. Why did you order your troops against one another?"

Krell shifted forward, his arms tugging at his restraints as he spit out his response. "Why not? Your clones are worthless, and they couldn't even see their deaths before it was too late. So tell me, youngling—"

Ahsoka bared her teeth, an inhumane growl ripping itself from her throat as she tilted her lightsaber towards his neck. Beside her, she could sense Rex's deep anger, and her heart ached for the brothers they've lost. "Answer the question!"

She relished the tint of fear in his eyes as Krell gulped, before it was covered up quickly in his hate. Something strange coursed through her at the sight, prowling and waiting to be released. She didn't know what it was, but it felt familiar. Like an old friend.

"Because I wanted to. My new Master would be so proud, seeing what I've done," Krell answered simply. "There's so much more to do, so many more clones to wipe out."

Some of her fury bled through right then and there. Ahsoka had to breathe in deeply before she could gather enough sense to talk. Lashing out was unbecoming of a Jedi.

(But at the same time, she wanted to let loose. To give in to whatever thing was running through her blood.)

"You betrayed the Order. So cold...like a Sith," she hissed, her disgust clear. Krell only laughed.

"Youngling, you don't even know what the dark feels like. You're too weak."

Her arms tensed, still holding back. She couldn't give in to the whispers now drumming through her head. She couldn't have revenge. This was for her soldiers. Her vode. If anyone deserved to bring him to justice, it was them.

You can do so much if you just give in.

Memories flashed before her eyes. Of being the Son's puppet. Of the rage and power flowing through her as she fought her Masters, unable to overcome it.

She remembered slashing viciously at her cherished mentors, at the feeling of freedom and strength that had stuck by her ever since.

Just let go.

She was brought back to the present as Rex nudged her lightly. She opened her eyes as her lips slowly pulled back in a smile. She felt like she was shedding into a new skin, relief wearing off her shoulders.

The togruta slowly walked towards the dark Jedi. The clones around her shifted, but she didn't pay them any mind as she studied him. Slight confusion was etched on Krell's face as she regarded him for a while.

A small part of Ahsoka questioned herself. What was she doing?

The voice faded away as that something inside her stirred. Anticipation thrummed through the air and her grip on her weapon tightened, now disengaged.

She leaned down, whispering so low she could barely hear herself. "You're wrong. I do know what it feels like." Ahsoka pulled away, meeting his stare as she showed him what she was hiding. "I was the Dark."

Her eyes glinted under the dim light. Her drunken madness was hidden from her soldiers, her grin stretching wider as she held his gaze, letting her facade bleed into its true form.

Just this once, she was going to give in. To show him what he was truly facing.

Krell backed away from horror, and she could sense him reaching out to her presence. She lowered her shields, her signature flooded with a cold that threatened to devour the besalisk. Yes, in the Force when she had her shields up, she appeared to be bright. But underneath it?

Underneath it was an animal, waiting to pounce on its prey. She had hidden it well, every single Jedi passing her not even detecting a speck of darkness within her aura. She didn't even think Krell would've found it if she didn't reveal it.

She had help with it.

Ahsoka rose her walls back up again, spinning to walk back to her soldiers. Yes, she was dark, but much different than his definition of it. Ahsoka nodded curtly to Rex, and she could feel that the man was bewildered about what she did, having not seen anything except the fright on Krell's face.

Even if he was her best friend, there were still things that had to be kept secret.

"W-What are you?"

She halted. Her head turned left, an elegant white brow marking raised in faux confusion against her knowing expression. Rex and Fives exchanged glances, hushed whispers traveling through the clones' comms.

"What does the dar'jetii mean?"

"She's our Commander! What else would she be?"

She fully twisted towards him, and his stare immediately pulled to her face. The tiniest hint of a poisonous molten gold was slowly rimming her cerulean eyes.

"I'm a Jedi, just like you. I am also the Commander of the 501st Legion, and you'll regret what you've done to them," Ahsoka spat out as she bared her teeth.

Krell fell backward as his eyes widened. Around her, the clones swelled in pride, and she smirked.

"Commander? Do we...?"

She could sense that everyone wanted the same thing she did. Revenge.

"You may kill him. After all, it's what he deserves," Ahsoka commanded, her hands clasped at her lower back. A deep cackle rang through her head, and she tried not to laugh along.

The clones simultaneously readied their blasters. She could sense Rex's hesitance, and she sent waves of reassurance to him. Her hand rose up.

"On my mark."

Krell was lifted into the air, slammed harshly against the wall. The building shook slightly, but no one flinched.

"Three."

Clicks of the men's weapons echoed throughout the chamber. It was quiet as everyone waited for her count. The besalisk's soft wheezing didn't perturb her the slightest.

"Two."

Silence reigned the chamber, Ahsoka's Force grip on him tightening. Panic bled through his Force signature and she closed her eyes in amusement.

His life was in her hands, and she was already draining it, slow and painful. Her hands wove through the air, transferring the life force into something else.

Yes...

"One."

Bolts flew through the air, each one making its mark on Krell's body. She made sure that the last thing Krell saw was her flickering amber eyes and a dangerous fanged smile, exactly like the creature in her dark aura.

Her grip on him released as his dead body fell to the floor. No one spoke, but she could feel everyone's eyes on her. After seconds of quiet, the Captain spoke.

"Commander? Are you alright?"

She could hear genuine concern under Rex's voice, and she tossed him a nod. She felt unchained, and she would bask in the moment as long as she could. The odor of burning flesh was already drifting through the room.

Ahsoka looked up at him and she caught a glimpse of dread on his face before he saluted her.

"Rex...we have much to do."