The Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the one place I would have thought in all my years that I would never have come across of again; much less restored after the great purge shortly before the fall of the Galatic Republic. I still remember that day as though it were yesterday:
My heart raced as I frantically ran from my troops wondering how in the world we went from brothers in arms on the battlefield to sworn enemies with pointed blasters at my head in mere seconds. Blaster fire sounded off and troopers circled around me in my battalion like a Gundark to its prey. With Rex at my side I escaped but just barely. Unfortunately many Jedi weren't so fortunate, our numbers shrunk massively and out of nowhere a new galactic order emerged from the once proud republic we defended in the clone wars to a monstrosity of an Empire led by the man we thought was an angel of light only to be the very devil in disguise -Chancellor Palpatine or should I say Emperor Palpatine. Thank the Force that he's no longer in power. Masters Kenobi and Yoda along with a small remnant were alive and aided in the fight as the force led and it was comforting to know that even though I felt so alone in the Galaxy that there were a few signatures buzzing alive; albeit faintly in the force.
Still no matter how involved I was in Bail Organa's newly formed Rebellion I still missed the one person who I could turn to when nothing seemed right-my master Anakin Skywalker. I met up with him or rather Darth Vader on the world of Malachor after aiding some newfound friends Kanan, and Ezra investigate a lead into knowledge on how to fight the impending darkness. I don't know how or why my Master turned. I refuse to even acknowledge that was him I fought; however I wish that I could've saved him from his fall. After reaching out over and over he slapped me away and insisted on fighting me. The altercation left me broken inside. I know he had his own path to follow however, I know Anakin Skywalker. He wouldn't have turned without a reason, somehow the Emperor had held something over him to pull him down. My master was too strong to fail otherwise, even though he really was far from the famed Hero with No Fear. But with all my thinking about the encounter I had with him one thing I know for sure is that there was Good in him. I could feel it with my being, it was as if he was trying to wrestle free and needed someone to believe in him. It made me regret the day I chose to left the order, it was my fault on some level I know this to be true. Had I remained on Coruscant I could have pulled him through his pain just as we rescued one another countless times over the war. We were a dynamic team from day one even if we didn't know then. How far we have come to have gotten from Christophsis to our last encounter on Malachor. Regardless I have seemed to move on.
Today is the day the Jedi Order has been rebuilt, the building stands as tall as it once was in all its grandeur. It looks even more glorious than it once was due to the ordeal it endured. I was contacted by a remnant of Jedi Masters who were gone and now it seems however unlikely I have made my way back to these sacred halls. Some things never change though I am late for this meeting it's almost 0900 and I'm sprinting to the high council chambers. I can almost hear my Master as I rush past the dormitories saying " Snips why didn't tell me we were due for a council meeting" after catching him messing around with spare parts in his room or pulling some prank on Master Kenobi. He always did lose his sense of timing with droids.
Taking a left past the dormitories and rushing past the sparring rooms I hold my hand faintly over my lightsabers. i remember my very first pair especially the pride when my Master found me ready to gift me with a second shoto. The very first practice session we had he disarmed me in five minutes. Embarrassed but ever determined I decided to keep at it and the smile on his face beamed bright with love and approval. I still remember him saying " Ahsoka, if I didn't believe you weren't skilled for this I wouldn't have made this shoto for you. You have grown immensely since we first met and I know this will only add to your saber skill set in combat especially with your height." We had so much fun that day sparring that we went to Dex' s diner afterwords just to celebrate. Needless to say I excelled in Jar'kai.
After passing the Halls of Healing and Archives I find myself to have gotten to the council chambers. I am excited to have gotten purpose to my life in the New Republic by coming back to the Order and know that there are things we have yet to fix within the organization. I am proud of be apart of that change. Although I haven't felt this jittery seeing the council since I was assigned to Anakin as his padawan after thinking I was going to be reprimanded for something. Slowly I enter the chamber and feel the force working around me. Trepidation and excitement are here-yet I feel a mysterious presence in the building. The amber rays of Coruscant are beaming and I see Masters Windu, Yoda, Kenobi, K'Krunk, and other familiar faces as well as new ones like Luke Skywalker -newly minted Jedi Knight. He looks just like Skyguy with his blonde mop of hair, and intense facial expressions. I could laugh at the resemblance but as I walk towards the center of the room I am greeted by a cloaked stranger in the side whose presence is so uncanny and familiar...
" Welcome Young Tano, Pleased to see you we are yes!" said Yoda
" As am I Master, it's a great time to see where the force has the order placed and how we can better serve the New Republic "
" New Faces you see, yes young Jedi we are recruiting as well as Force sensitive children we are inviting to the Order once more"
" We are pleased to have someone of your caliber to help train apprentices Young Tano" said Master Windu
Well somethings didn't change as Master Windu was as straight forward as ever. I didn't mind though. Yet the mysterious guest in the brown cloak was drawing my attention.
"Young Luke has many questions to ask of you as you are aware of someone he holds dear, yes ... Looks like someone who trained you, does he? "
My attention turned to the small Jedi Master and my countenance ever so faltered in the Force. Anakin, how I miss you master. Yet as I thought this, the figure seemed to give off a sadness ever so slightly that leaked in his signature.
" Yes Master, ... Luke Skywalker is it .. I was trained by your father who I can say was like a Father to me - even more so but I can't really describe him except that he was incredible. No one has his record or determination in all the order, yet Masters you are also every bit amazing too. " I reply as a sense the curious gazes peiercing my back. "It was a privilege to be his student. Whatever you want to learn I hope that I can answer. although you aren't really his first kid, in a sense I guess we are like family." I grinned to him. " Luke the masters can attest that when I first assigned to Anakin Skywalker as his padawan I was most intrigued, excited but unsure of I could do the job. He had his moments but I only hoped that I measured up as his apprentice to him."
The brown cloaked figure moved and I could sense its presence more clearly and my eyes automatically started to tear up. It can't be I thought, but could it.
" You certainly had your moments as well Snips, but I wouldn't count that as making you a bad apprentice. I was grateful and beyond happy to have you by my side. I hope that we can still go through this crazy ride together to train my son and these newbies. I hear this day they let anyone become a Jedi" Anakin replied as he winked.
"Hey " Luke shouted
I looked at his face suddenly; my force presence stunned and his a mixture of emotion between laughing at me or crying. I looked at him and walked towards the exit. Anakin Skywalker followed behind.
" Master it's really you isn't it. I'm not dreaming am I?" I rubbed my eyes while stating at the skylines.
"As far as I know you aren't ." He chuckled and after a few minutes of silence said " Ahsoka I wanted to apologize for everything on Malachor that wasn't me, I never would do anything to hurt I much less kill you. I lost Padme and my world without love in it shattered. I can't really explain it. "
I looked into his eyes and saw such hurt and pain, a longing to reach out to me and I linked with him through out bond. It wasn't as strong as before but I could see images of pain, loss, desperation and fear, Padme dying in dreams, torment over him, loneliness, a coffin being placed on him after his altercation with Obi-Wan, and the end of his soul. In turn he felt my pain of his separation, my family the Jedi dying off, the confrontation on Malachor, my helplessness to redeem him and my struggle to right my wrongs.
Anakin looked into my eyes and lifted my head with his finger under my chin. He replied " You know none of this is your fault. I made my choices and yes it was painful I didn't mean it. Palpatine was the villain who held me ransom and I'm so sorry Ahsoka..."
" Anakin it's alright I understand what you did and your not evil but the dark side is. I don't blame you, and I forgive you. a the force will show us the way to go from here. Your a hero and I'm proud to be forever known as the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, the chosen one. You fulfilled your destiny and I couldn't be more happier. "
With that the two embraced and Anakin stated" we have a lot to train and do if we are to be ready for this new republic. You think we can do it ?"
" Did Stinky make it through the first trip ? I believe we can tackle anything"
As the two entered the chamber Master Yoda greeted them fondly" Welcome back Team Skywalker/Tano"
"Indeed" replied Obi Wan Kenobi " A most celebratory homecoming indeed."
Forgiveness and strength was what they needed on both parts but one thing was sure that the New Republic had amazing knights for recruits and none the less thanks to Team Skywalker/Tano