With the council now adjourned, Ezra is in Ahsoka's cabin, aboard the Ghost. They are both seated next to each other on a small couch.
"It's been a busy week." Ezra says.
"Yes, it has. Kira has come back to us, and you seem to have found your purpose again." Ahsoka says.
"Now, I have Ben Solo to deal with as well. Training him isn't going to be easy." Ezra says.
"How so?" Ahsoka asks.
"He's turned away from the dark side, but he's so full of regret and self loathing that he has no confidence whatsoever. I...don't know where to begin. I'm not sure if I should be forcing him into saber practice so soon." Ezra answers.
"Perhaps you need to train him differently. There are other lessons to be learned." Ahsoka says.
"What would you suggest? Make him meditate half the day? Study holocrons? I wish I could, but, we don't have the time, and we don't have a thousand Jedi ready to fight!" Ezra says.
"Ben and Kira's training will be up to you. You are the master. They will either learn, or, they will not. That is all you can do. The rest is up to them." Ahsoka says.
"You're right. It looks like I have some thinking to do." Ezra says.
"I am certain that you will be able to decide the best course of action. Now, as for why I asked to speak with you alone. This will not be easy for you to hear, but, you must. I...can't hide this from you anymore. You...might have noticed that I have seemed a little...off since we left Lothal." Ahsoka says.
"You used a great deal of power. It's understandable that it would take time for you to recover." Ezra says.
"The fact is, I'm not getting any younger. In two months, I will be seventy one years old." Ahsoka says.
"From what I understand, that's not very old for a togruta. Your people live for a hundred years on average." Ezra says.
"Normally, you would be correct. However, most togruta have not gone through what I have. I have been here for you for many years, Ezra, but, that will not last forever. Nothing does." Ahsoka says.
"I know. All too well. Doesn't mean I like to talk about it." Ezra says.
"In this case, I think we have to." Ahsoka says.
"Okay. Still don't like it." Ezra says.
"I know." Ahsoka says. She closes her eyes, and sits in silence for several seconds, before once again opening her eyes. She says "How old would you guess me to be, if you didn't know me?" Ahsoka asks.
"What?" Ezra asks.
"I'm serious, Ezra. How old do I look to you? You can be honest. I won't be offended." Ahsoka says. Ezra hesitates to answer for several seconds.
"Um...mid seventies, maybe?" Ezra asks.
"You would be correct. I appear slightly older than I should. The fact is, some of the more unusual abilities I use are not taught to Jedi for good reason. These abilities are meant to be used by two, not one. When used by one being, they can have...degenerative effects on the body, including accelerated aging." Ahsoka says.
What? You knew this?" Ezra asks.
"Yes, I knew. The ancient holocrons I learned from were quite clear on what the effects would be." Ahsoka says.
"You knew, and you did it anyway. Why didn't you tell anybody? Why didn't you ask for help?" Ezra asks.
"This is my choice. My burden to bear. I would ask that of no one else." Ahsoka answers.
"So, there should have been two Bendu. Not just you alone after Daak's death." Ezra says.
"Daak Tarfor was the last of the Bendu after the Knights of Revan strayed from their path. He rarely used his power, and would have lived for centuries more if he hadn't sacrificed himself to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong. He never found anyone else suitable to join him." Ahsoka says.
"Until Kanan. If Kanan had lived…" Ezra says.
"It's very likely that Kanan might have become Bendu instead of me. He was growing beyond the old ways of the Jedi Order, until...well, you know." Ahsoka says.
Until he gave his life, for his family. Ezra thinks.
"So, you were Daak's second choice." Ezra says.
"Yes." Ahsoka says.
"So, why didn't you ask me?" Ezra asks.
"It was not your destiny to become Bendu. At least, not yet." Ahsoka says.
"My destiny? Frack my destiny! If I had your power, I would have been able to stop the Knights of Ren the moment they set foot on Yavin! All those dead kids would still be alive, and so would my wife!" Ezra says.
"Ezra, please try to understand. I'm not all powerful. I don't know everything. I only know what the force allows me to know. Or, what our force ghost friends choose to tell me. Now, if you choose to blame me for what happened to Juno and your students, that...is your choice. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help them. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to sense that Kira was alive. I'm sorry that I've kept things from you." Ahsoka says. Ezra sits in silence for nearly a minute as he centers himself.
"I forgive you. I...just think you should have told me about what your power was doing to you." Ezra says.
"You would have asked me to stop using it." Ahsoka says.
"Yes, I would have." Ezra says.
"What about now?" Ahsoka asks.
"You said that these abilities were meant to be used by two people. As in...Kira and Ben?" Ezra asks.
"Perhaps." Ahsoka answers.
"No. I won't let Kira learn a power that will kill her." Ezra says.
"If it's used correctly, she will be fine. As long as she has another to share the power." Ahsoka says. She closes her eyes, and seems to be in deep concentration for quite some time.
What's going on? Is she having a vision? Ezra thinks.
"It shall come to pass that the chosen shall be two. Halves of the same soul. One of the light. The other, of the dark. Together, they are the balance. They are...one." Ahsoka says.
Not a vision. A prophecy. I know better than to ignore this. Ezra thinks.
"Will you help me teach them?" Ezra asks. Ahsoka opens her eyes, and once again looks at Ezra.
"It is no longer my place to teach. Or to lead. You already know all you need to know. Kira and Ben will be the first of a new order, one based on what you teach them. You are the master. I'm just your advisor." Ahsoka says.
"I think you're more than that." Ezra says.
"Thank you, Ezra. Now, I have something else to share with you." Ahsoka says.
"What is it?" Ezra asks.
"I do not know exactly how or when, but my time runs short." Ahsoka says.
"Ahsoka…" Ezra says.
"I know what you're going to say. That I'm too young to die. I'm sorry, Ezra, but, it's time to face facts. To borrow a passage from an ancient text: to everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heavens. Everyone has their appointed time and place. My time is coming to an end. I just...know it. I have enjoyed living, and have tried to make the most of it, but I am ready to see my Jedi brothers and sisters again. I am ready...to see Rex again, and I am not afraid." Ahsoka says.
"You...accept it, just like that?" Ezra asks.
"Yes, I do." Ahsoka answers.
"There's got to be a way to save you." Ezra says. Ahsoka puts a hand on Ezra's shoulder.
"My time...is my time. This is how it must be, Ezra. I'll be alright, and so will you." Ahsoka says.
"I don't know about that." Ezra says.
"I do. Now, it's time for you to go. You have things to take care of, and so do I." Ahsoka says. Ezra stands up.
"Alright. I'll go. On one condition." Ezra says.
"Oh, really?" Ahsoka asks.
"Please, don't overdo it. There are plenty of people here that are willing and able to do what needs to be done." Ezra says.
"I appreciate your concern, Ezra. I may be old, but I am still me, and I will do my part until the day I die." Ahsoka says.
"Okay. You win. Just don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it." Ezra says.
"I'll keep that in mind." Ahsoka says.
"That's all I ask." Ezra says. He briefly hesitates before leaving Ahsoka's cabin.
Once she is alone, Ahsoka stands up, and slowly walks to a small holotable. She presses several buttons, and waits a few seconds for a distorted hologram to appear.
"Fulcrum to Red. Come in, please." Ahsoka says.
"Red to Fulcrum. I copy." Red says, in a distorted voice, whose gender is inconclusive.
"Mission status?" Ahsoka asks.
"I have arrived at target planet. Beginning search of the ruins. This could take days. Was this really a Jedi Temple?" Red asks.
"Yes. A long time ago. According to records, what we are looking for should be there. Watch out for local wildlife." Ahsoka says.
"You don't have to tell me twice. I've been watching my back for as long as I can remember." Red says.
"I know. All the same, be careful. Contact me every twelve hours, or contact Starbird if you can't reach me." Ahsoka says.
"Will do. How's it going on your end, by the way?" Red asks.
"I have reached Sanctuary. Outcast is here, and I have ordered Snow to join us." Ahsoka answers.
"The three of you together? Is that wise?" Red asks.
"It's necessary. Outcast's cover is blown, and Snow has completed her mission." Ahsoka answers.
"Understood. Anything else?" Red asks.
"Nothing at the moment. Continue as planned, and stay safe. May the force be with you." Ahsoka answers.
"You as well, Fulcrum. I'll be seeing you." Red says. The hologram disappears.
Ahsoka uses the force to summon a small, wooden box to her, and gently places it on the surface of the holotable. She opens the box, and inside are two objects. One, a glowing, blue cube. The other, a glowing red pyramid.
"The time is near. Soon, all will be set right." Ahsoka says.
Red, Outcast, and Snow are code names for agents who work for Ahsoka. These are not the actual names of the characters. Their identities will be revealed later.
I am currently only able to work on one story at a time, so Revelations will not update again until February. I will only be working on The Rogue and The Jedi in January.