Leia rested her chin on her knees, keeping them tightly pressed against her chest as she wrapped her arms around them. Her datapad was laying on the cot farther away from where she sat, where she'd thrown it just moments before. Leia glanced at it with a scowl.
It still displayed the image of Sheev Palpatine, humble and true. A good leader, they say, a true, rightful Supreme Chancellor unlike the others before him. Leia looked away, closing her eyes tightly. Were they right?
She let out a shuddering breath. She didn't know.
Everything was so… twisted. Yet, he must be the same. Everything in Leia screamed that she was right about this.
But he looked different. Human. Leia shuddered, recalling the disfigured image of Darth Sidious. How terrified he'd made her feel. She'd never been more terrified of anything ever since. Except, perhaps, his apprentice, Darth Vader.
Leia shook her head. No. They couldn't be the same. Maybe Darth Sidious had replaced him, taken over his identity. But how? And how could she be sure? She was just a child. She hadn't known then, so how was she supposed to know now?
Leia let out a pitiful sound, almost like a wail. What was she supposed to do? It was too much, too much to handle on her own. She wished she could talk to Luke. Or her guardian, or even aunt Beru. Her parents.
A tear slipped trough her eyelids. Her parents, who currently didn't even know her. Even if she could go to them, convince them she was from the future, would they trust her? They didn't know her. They haven't even made the decision to adopt her yet. Hadn't made the choice to be her parents. She was no one to them now.
Leia raised her head, brushing away the tear and turned to look down at the datapad. She reached for it, settling it onto her lap.
She glared at the picture of Palpaltine then turned it off. She certainly wasn't scared of him now. Nothing scared her anymore.
Sniffling, Leia typed in another name into the search.
A picture of Padmé Amidala appeared before her. Leia frowned, trying to brush off the dream-like state that tried to overcome her. Feelings and images tried to reach her as they sometimes did, but she pushed them all away. Nothing good ever came from Leia's knowings. It mostly always involved the past. Past people, past feelings, past places. It was a good thing she'd learned how to ignore them. Though she hadn't had them for awhile now, not since she got stuck here.
Still, she knew something about the Senator was different, like she'd seen her before, like she knew her. Leia sighed. She must have touched something of hers as a child, or maybe she'd visited a place the Senator used to spend her time at. It didn't matter. What did matter was why Leia had no idea who the woman in the picture was before coming here. Not even a whisper of a name, a title-nothing. She'd learned so much from her father and guardian about the Clone Wars, yet never did she hear the name Padmé Amidala. But then again, no name was ever mentioned. Like something was being kept from her.
Or maybe she was theorizing too much again. After all, she'd never been to Naboo. The place that both the Senetor and Chancellor were allegedly from. Who knows, maybe the Senator was a traitor too? Leia turned off the datapad. There was no use. The best Leia could do now was stay unnoticed. If anyone found out what she knew…
Knowledge was power, risk that power getting into the wrong hands and it will destroy you. And Leia had too many people she needed to protect to ever risk that.
Trust no one. That was her main rule. She had to fallow it.
oOo
"Where have you been, Princess?"
At least he didn't sound mad. Annoyed, maybe, but not mad. Leia looked up at her Master and shrugged.
"Any news on the mystery weapon?" She asked instead.
Anakin gave Leia a look that said he knew exactly what she was doing. Yeah, well Leia felt far too drained to think of a convincing excuse, so she rather chose going for a distraction, no matter how pitiful. She just forgot her Master was far from stupid.
"No." He stared at her skeptically, then sighed. "You'll have talk to me sometime, Leia."
She stiffened.
Since Tatooine they hadn't talked about his mother or the journal. Leia he been successful at evading that particular topic, since her Master didn't seem comfortable discussing it either, but he still had questions. Leia knew he had. She could feel it in the way he sometimes looked at her when he thought she wasn't aware, or the way his mood would change from suspicion to distrust whenever she was around.
Leia told herself she didn't care. As long as they wouldn't talk about it, she was safe.
Leia once again felt the burn of Anakin's gaze, but desperately tried to ignore it, pretending she wasn't aware of it.
Oh, who was she kidding? Giving him the journal was a mistake. She'd promised herself she would be careful. Giving your future best friend's father his deceased mother's journal, that no one knew existed, was anything but.
Silly little princess. Silly little girl. Now silly little Padawan.
She wasn't fooling anyone.
What lead her to believe she could play this game? A game of grownups and their politics. Their lies and betrayals. Their war for power.
She was just a kid. No one taught her the rules of such a cruel game.
Leia stepped away from Anakin, walking closer to the cruiser's viewport. So many stars, so many places. Yet she didn't know a single thing about them. No one gave her the time to learn. No one asked if she would like to.
Another mission. Jedi Cruiser Resolute. Bith system. General Grievous. That's it. That's all she knew.
Was it enough?
No. It wasn't.
How did the war start? Leia glanced at her Master. He knew. He was there. In the battle of Geonosis. Would he tell her if she asked?
Leia smiled bitterly, turning away.
Her 'Master' wouldn't have even taken her on this mission if it weren't for the promise he'd made.
It was the only good thing that came out of the journal. But was it worth it?
Again, she didn't know. She didn't know anything. She only pretended to.
Leia turned away from the viewport, moving back to where her Master stood, studying the plans on the HoloNet.
They had a weapon, the Sith. A weapon of some kind that Leia wasn't familiar with.
How could she think about changing the course of fate if she had no idea of what went wrong in the first place? Only bits and peaces, that didn't add up. Like Chancellor Palpatine. Like her Master-Anakin Skywalker.
Suddenly, the plans were replaced by a hologram of Plo Koon and his Padawan.
Momentarily, Leia was thrown off-guard, but then a true smile appeared on her face, as she beamed at one particular person.
"'Soka!" Leia shouted excitedly at the holoimage of a young Tortuga female.
Leia's only friend grinned in return. "Spacegirl!"
Leia rolled her eyes at the annoying nickname, but smiled. She's missed her.
Plo Koon glanced at his Padawan, then at Leia, "Perhaps we should postpone your reunion and focus on the current situation."
"Sorry, Master." Said Ahsoka sheepishly.
"How's the hunt for the mystery weapon going?" asked Anakin but not after giving Leia a disapproving look. Leia didn't care. She'd missed Ahsoka. They haven't had the opportunity to spend any time together, since they'd both been assigned Masters.
"We've tracked it to the Abregado system. We need reinforcements." Ahsoka's Master Plo Koon explained.
Leia briefly wondered how were things going for Ahsoka and her new Master. She seemed fine as she gave Leia an encouraging smile, cheerful and determined as ever. Leia wished she could tell the same about herself. Or her relationship with her own Master.
"I'll have ask the Council, Master Plo. I was giving strict orders to protect our staging area."
Ahsoka gave Leia a worried look.
Her Master had to be kidding. Ask the Council, for what? Permission to help?
But before Leia could object, the hologram of Ahsoka and her Master started crackling.
"Ahsoka?" Leia called out, but the hologram had already faded out completely.
oOo
"Well, are we going to help them, or not?"
"It's not that simple Princess, we have to see what the Council decides first. This is an important meeting, Leia. Remember, be mindful, and speak only when spoken to."
They stopped in front of closed doors.
Leia was sick and tired of hearing those words. "Translation: be a good little girl, because no one really cares what your think. Got it."
"That's not what I meant."
Leia exhaled. She knew he meant well, at least she thought he did. She was just worried. What if they said no? She couldn't just leave Ahsoka.
"I know it's not."
Jedi and their rules. Leia wondered what Luke would have thought once he'd found out how many there actually were. That having Force-sensitivity was far from enough. How quickly they tended to judge.
No wonder her guardian had quit.
The doors slid open with a hiss.
"This mystery weapon has struck in a dozen systems and disappeared once again," Leia heard Mace Windu speak.
They stepped before a hologram of Master Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu and… oh no.
"We cannot afford to lose anymore ships, my friends." Spoke Sheev Palpaltine. Why hadn't her Master warned her that the Council also meant the Chancellor?
Before Leia had any time to react or even think about fleeing, Palpaltine turned to look at them.
Unconsciously, Leia moved closer to Anakin. All the courage and certainty, she'd just had moments before, evaporating.
He's not the same. She tried to assure herself.
"Ah, Master Skywalker," the middle aged man spoke. He didn't sound like a Sith Lord. Neither did he look like one. He seemed the complete opposite, actually. "Have you had any success in finding General Grievous' secret weapon?"
Nonetheless, Leia felt sick, fear twisting her insides. She clenched her fists trying to assure herself there was no danger.
Anakin clicked a button on the panel making a red planet appear in the hologram before the Council members.
"Master Plo was here in the Abregado system when we lost contact." Leia's Master spoke.
Leia stood like a statue, perfectly still, not letting any emotion show on her face. The only indication of her mixed emotions-her fingernails biting into her skin.
"We've had no further contact with General Plo Koon. The absence of distress beacons indicates that his fleet was…" Anakin glanced at Leia, but she wasn't looking at him, instead staring emotionlessly at the ground. "-that his fleet was destroyed, like the others. We are about to prepare a rescue mission."
"Hasn't clone intelligence reported this weapon never leaves any survivors?" Spoke the Chancellor.
The question sounded innocent. Merely a thought. But Leia heard the deeper meaning.
If others hadn't survived, why would they?
"The Separatists are being unusually tidy. They don't want any witnesses." Observed Obi-Wan Kenobi thoughtfully.
"Tragic are these losses, but prevent more, we must." Master Yoda said.
Tragic? Ahsoka was everything to Leia. The only person she had left.
"All our battle groups will be reassigned to guard our supply convoys. Including yours Skywalker. We can't risk any. " Oh how Leia hated Mace Windu at that moment. She let out a shuddering breath, yet didn't speak. Knew, that she couldn't. This wasn't home. This wasn't the Rebellion. And these people weren't on her side.
"We will deploy as you've instructed, Master." Leia couldn't help, but look up at Anakin as he spoke. So he was willing to leave them too?
They were all the same. No wonder that in the end their beloved Chancellor won. What Luke used to say? Politics weren't for the Jedi? Well, he hadn't been wrong on that.
The hologram disappeared. Leaving Leia feeling helpless and guilty. Because if something happened to Ahsoka it would be all her fault.
"So, we are leaving them?" The words were whispered softly, but filled with steel.
"We have our orders, Leia. You heard them, there might be no survivors."
"Might. But there's still a chance than Ahsoka and her Master are alive."
Anakin raised an eyebrow, "So that's what it's all about, your friend?"
No. It was so much more than that. Ahsoka, was so much more.
Before Leia could argue any further the doors slid open and Admiral Yularen walked in, followed by two other officers.
Leia wasn't yet sure about the Admiral, but for all she had seen so far, she'd come to the conclusion that Admiral Yularen wasn't exactly keen of her Master.
Anakin stepped forward. "Admiral. We'll split up our ships to maximize our defense area. I'll scout ahead for enemy activity."
"Isn't that risky with the mystery weapon out there?"
"It might be," admitted Anakin. "But I know you won't argue my orders." The jab was clearly aimed at Leia, but she didn't care. She couldn't care less about being the perfect little Padawan they all expected her to be.
Not when Ahsoka was in danger. Not when it was all her fault.
"Come on, Princess."
oOo
"Set those new coordinates, Artoo?" Asked Anakin abroad the Twilight. Leia sat before the viewpoint continuously glaring at the distance.
She was so lost. So alone. She wished she could tell someone. Tell it all. But she knew she could never risk it. Ahsoka was the only one she ever came close to, but just like everyone else here, she wasn't the same.
"Hope you're not planning on sulking all the way there." Commented Anakin as they entered hyperspace.
Leia shrugged carelessly, "What is it to you?"
Anakin narrowed his eyes. "I know you might be having a hard time Leia, but it doesn't excuse your backchat, which I'm beginning to tire of."
"Fine by me, let's not talk at all then."
"I don't need a caretaker!" Leia shouted, pulling her arm free from her new guardians's grasp.
"Good, because I'm the farthest from a caretaker you could get." Spoke the melodic voice. It was understanding and calm, which only pushed Leia's buttons further.
"Then why don't you leave me alone!"
"You know I can't do that Leia. It's still dangerous out there, and until we get to the place your farther instructed, you'll have to stick by my side."
Leia's agitation only rose at the mention of her farther. She wanted to scream and shout. Why wasn't he here, with her?
"Well, I don't care! And I don't wanna go to this stupid place! If Papa wanted me there he would have taken me there himself!"
Leia kicked at a nearby rock, sending it flying down a steep, to the lake below.
"I know you're angry Leia, I am too." Softly spoke Leia's new companion.
Leia hesitated. The female sounded sincere. Maybe even apologetic. She told herself she didn't care. She didn't care about anything anymore.
"What do you have to be angry for?"
The Togruta female crouched down, gently turning Leia around by her elbow, making her face her.
"A lot of things." She ran a hand through Leia's pixie length hair. "Can I tell you a secret?" Leia only glared at her, refusing to speak.
"You're right. You don't need me. Do you know why?"
Still scowling, Leia shook her head. She didn't care. Or maybe she did.
The humanoid female smiled softly. "Because you've proven yourself to be so strong, stronger than I ever was."
Leia frowned in confusion.
The first thing the female before her had done upon meeting Leia, was help her lock up everything behind that heavy door in her deepest, darkest mind corner and telling her not to come near it ever again unless she told otherwise. But Leia could still faintly feel the content that hid behind it. The secrets it held. Secrets, she wanted to forget.
"You're lying." Leia whispered.
The female raised a challenging eyebrow. "Am I? Leia, it's because of you those prisoners are free, but most importantly it's you who refused to let them destroy the special girl I know you are."
Leia shuddered, some of the memories resurfacing. But not all of them. Not when most of them were still bared up behind that door Leia was never going near again.
Even if the female before her told her to.
A tear rolled down Leia's cheek as she sniffled. "I don't want to be like them."
The nasty voices. The cold embrace of darkness. The promise of power.
"I know."
And Leia believed her. Maybe because of her patience and understanding. Or maybe because she was the one that helped hide all those things away.
Leia wrapped her arms around her guardian's neck, sobbing, as she was lifted into the air, in the safety of her arms.
"Don't worry little Skygirl as long as I'm here, no one is going to hurt you ever again. I promise."
It's not easy to forget. Much less to let go. That's why Leia let Ahsoka get so close even when she knew she shouldn't. Because Leia had recognized her the moment she sat down beside her during her first month at the Jedi Temple.
It was also the very first time since Leia's arrival when she genuinely smiled. Because even if Ahsoka seemed different, she was still the same.
She was still Ahsoka Tano, Leia's former guardian.
oOo
"Artoo, tune the scanners for life forms. Highest sensitivity."
Leia frowned in confusion, raising her head to look at the viewport. Where were they?
"The Abregado system," said Leia disbelievingly, staring at the bright red planet in the distance. "What are we doing here, if we're supposed to be looking for the mystery weapon?"
"Lives are in danger Leia, we can't just turn our backs on them."
"Then why didn't you say anything before!"
"Doing what the Jedi Council says, that's one thing, how we go about doing it, that's another."
Leia rolled her eyes, though she smiled, relieved. There was hope then.
"So what you're trying to teach me is that the right way to do it, is behind the Council's back?" Before Anakin could object, Leia beamed. "I like it."
"Now, don't get all excited." Said Anakin, looking a bit vexed. "Hurry up and switch on the illuminator."
"You do know, that the fleet will miss us eventually, right?"
"I know, that's why we need to hurry before they do." Said Anakin with a blatant smile.
oOo
As they neared the planet Leia only became more impatient, which fueled her worry. What if they were too late?
"The scanners are pretty much useless. And by the look of it there's nothing on the emergency channel either."
"Patience Leia. However, I must warn you, we might find something you don't want to find."
"I know." She said. But she couldn't think about that. Couldn't let that fear overrule her. If something happened to Ahsoka, it would be Leia's fault.
"How do you know Master Plo's Padawan anyway?"
Leia chewed on her lower lip.
"Now, Princess, we're looking for them, are we not?"
Leia rolled her eyes. "You would have gone looking for them anyway." Just as she said it she realized she actually believed it.
Leia let out a frustrated breath. "I had a rough time at the Temple in the beginning and…she was my first friend there." First and only. Never mind the fact that Leia knew her in the future.
Or the fact, that Ahsoka was supposed to become Anakin's Padawan and not Leia.
She already changed too much and it was beginning to backfire on her.
Leia glanced at the panel. "Incoming transmission Master."
A hologram of Master Obi-Wan appeared before them, instantly turning to look at Leia's Master. "Anakin, where are you?" He sounded exasperated, but not surprised. As if he was long used to his former Padawan disobeying his orders.
"Hello Master. Uh, we made a quick stop in the Abregado system." Leia noted how nonchalant Anakin sounded, but at the same time nervous. He seemed to care deeply about his former Master's opinion. But so had Luke. Maybe it was the case with most Padawans and their Masters, it's not like they had any other parental figure.
"You have other orders."
"It was my idea Master Obi-Wan. I insisted." Leia heard herself say.
The hologram of Obi-Wan turned to look at her. "Oh, I know Leia. But may I remind you that the rules apply even to you."
Leia lowered her gaze. It was weird. Even if she barley knew Ben Kenobi, it was still strange seeing this younger version of him. A version that had no idea of who she was. She didn't want to admit it, but it hurt. Just like it did with Ahsoka. Master Kenobi had saved her multiple times. The first time unintentionally jeopardizing Luke's safety in the process and the second time costing his life. She owned him more than she could ever repay.
But not to this version. He wasn't the Master Kenobi her father had spoken highly of. He wasn't Ben Kenobi who Luke had idolized and aspired to be like. He was just Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master, a General, and Anakin Skywalker's former Master.
"Well, have you found any survivors?"
"No, you were right. The Separatists don't want any witnesses."
"All the more reason for you to rejoin the defensive escorts. We need you, Anakin. You're going to miss the rendezvous with the fleet if you don't hurry."
"I know Master. We're on our way." The hologram of Master Obi-Wan disappeared and Anakin turned to look at his Padawan. "I'm sorry Leia."
"I know she's alive." She had to be.
"Don't worry little Skygirl as long as I'm here, no one is going to hurt you ever again. I promise."
And she had. She had taken care of Leia the best she could while also being in charge of the Rebel Alliance. She had taught Leia everything she knew.
"You know, everyone here says you're mad, but I don't believe that, I think you're just in need of a friend."
Leia remembered the first time Ahsoka sat beside her at the Jedi Temple. Her shock as she recognized that voice and turned to see a Togruta female who turned out to be a younger version of her former guardian.
No. No matter the version. No matter the time. Ahsoka was her friend. That meant she could find her anywhere.
Artoo beeped.
"What is it Artoo?" Anakin asked.
Leia turned to look at Artoo as he swirled his dome, then at her Master. "Well?" She asked impatiently.
"Artoo says he's got something on the emergency channel."
"Can he trace it?" Please, please let him trace it.
Artoo let out an excited high-pitched noise.
Leia let out a relieved breath, "Great, let's get going then."
oOo
"What's the use of the signal if we aren't finding anyone! Why aren't we finding anyone?" Leia couldn't take it anymore. The farther they went, the more helpless she felt. All they found were debris. Peaces of fleet parts all scattered in space. She was beginning to lose hope.
"I don't know Leia, I don't know." Anakin said and Leia could feel his anguish too.
Leia scowled to herself, chewing on her lower lip. There has to be something.
She leaned forward, trying the communication signal again.
"Is anyone out there? This is Leia. Please, can somebody hear me?" Leia spoke through it, hoping that someone would answer it. That Ahsoka would answer it.
Nothing.
She tried again. Then again.
Leia groaned. "It's no use!" She hated feeling helpless. "Can't Artoo boost the signal?"
"Patience, we're trying to boost the power."
"Well, maybe you're not trying hard enough." Leia snapped.
"Leia!" Anakin rebuked.
"Sorry." Leia mumbled.
"You have to be patient." Leia continued to glower at the distance, not saying anything. What would be the point? He wouldn't be able to understand anyway.
oOo
"Anakin, the Council is furious."
Let them be, thought Leia, glaring at her hands on her lap as the hologram of the Chancellor spoke.
"Why, have you left your post?" He asked. He sounded agreeable. Like a father letting his son explain himself before fully appraising the situation. Leia didn't like it.
"I decided we couldn't just give up on Master Plo Koon." And Anakin was explaining himself just like he did to Obi-Wan. Leia clenched her fists.
From a very young age Leia had learned a lot by watching adults interact. She had been a princess after all. That's how she'd learned to mimic them. To notice the little things in their manner that would show her their true intentions.
But with the Chancellor she felt like she was grasping at straws. There was nothing. He was the perfect image of a honorable leader. It's as if it was all in her head.
"A noble gesture, Anakin." The Chancellor said. "But the Council feels your daring may put others in danger. Please, listen to me Anakin. Return at once."
Yet, his image seemed a bit too perfect. Everyone had flaws, especially people in power, no matter how well they hid it.
"Yes, Excellency." Anakin agreed. The hologram disappeared.
Her Master was giving up.
It was all up to her then. And unlike him, she wasn't one to be swayed easily. She wasn't going to give up.
Leia breathed out softly, drawing strength, and closed her eyes.
Leia didn't connect to people easily. But once she did, those bonds were irreplaceable. That's why no matter where, no matter how, she would always be able to find Ahsoka; would know her anywhere. Because she'd learned some time ago, that Force-bonds were never truly broken.
So she did the only thing left to do. She reached out.
Leia could feel everything and everyone around her; the limitless galaxy filled with wonder.
Briefly, she sensed Anakin, but before she had a chance to let herself fall deeper into his presence-she pulled back.
She told herself she needed to find Ahsoka, that it had nothing to do with the fear, she would sense something she wouldn't like. Something, anything, that would remind her of, well, Vader.
She immediately focused on her guardian instead. Because Ahsoka was her friend, but in a way would always be her guardian also; the thread Leia would always be able to hold onto.
And she felt her; felt her the same way she always felt her guardian.
They were the same, yet different. But no matter how different Leia should have known she would be able to recognize her anywhere.
"I'm sorry, Leia." Anakin spoke.
Leia's eyes snapped open.
"We can't leave."
"Leia, I want to believe Master Plo and his Padawan are alive, but…"
"I know she's alive! I can sense it." She grabbed the controls, steering the Twilight to her left.
"Leia!" Anakin shouted, just as Artoo let out a long squeal, rolling to the side.
"I know where they are!" She should have trusted herself more, shouldn't have let the constant fear blind her. The fear she kept telling herself wasn't actually there.
"There!" She shouted.
And it was there, amongst all the debris, floating in space. A pod; and figures hanging onto that pod.
"Ready tow cable…" Anakin instructed.
Leia jumped up from her seat, running over to where Artoo stood, punching over the controls. "Cable loaded."
Using a tow harpoon and cable Leia winches in the Pod.
Both Anakin and Leia rushed over to the pod in the cargo bay.
She noticed Master Plo Koon instantly, hunched against the outside of the pod, along with a few clone officers. Even though just moments before she'd felt her alive, blind fear consumed Leia. Leia ran, falling on her knees before Master Plo Koon, steadying him. "Where's Ahsoka?"
She knew and liked him well enough. At least he always tried to act like she was no different from the rest of the younglings, in contrast to the rest of the Council.
"Still inside." He said. Leia breathed a sigh of relief.
She stood up, just as Anakin Force-pulled the pod open.
A commander stepped out and after him a young Togruta female.
"Ahsoka!" Leia shouted, rushing over just as she stumbled. Leia caught her, keeping her upwards.
"Hey, Spacegirl. How are things?" She mumbled weakly, trying to smile, but failing miserably.
Leia settled her on the ground, next to the just as weak Commander whose name she didn't know. "You okay?"
Ahsoka nodded, "Never been better, don't worry. Where's my Master?" That's Ahsoka to you, always worrying about someone else.
"He's fine. He's here." Leia assured, knowing she meant Master Plo. She had herself to blame for that.
"I'm sorry." Leia said, after a few minutes of quiet as Ahsoka collected herself. She messed up big time.
Ahsoka frowned, "What are you sorry for? If it weren't for you we would still be stuck in that pod."
Before Leia could open her mouth to explain, or sum up some excuse, since she couldn't exactly be truthful, the medical droid moved over, checking on the Commander.
"Will they be alright?" Anakin asked.
"The pressure suits offer some protection, but they require a medical frigate for recovery." The droid said, probably having in mind the other three clone troopers. "I will stabilize them sir. Your men are safe now."
Leia frowned in concern.
"I'm fine. Here, help me up." Ahsoka said. Leia did, even though Ahsoka was a whole head taller than her, so it wasn't as much as Leia holding her up, as Ahsoka was giving her the illusion of leaning on her. They moved in front of Plo Koon and Ahsoka sat down next to him.
"You okay Master?"
"I could ask you the same little 'Soka, you should rest."
"I'm fine. Actually, I'm feeling pretty good all things considered." Frowning, Ahsoka glanced up at Leia. "Did you do something?"
Leia looked away, uncomfortable. "What do you mean?"
"I felt you. I mean, I think I did. That's how you found us, isn't it?"
Leia shrugged, not willing to offer unnecessary information, that would only rise more questions. She felt everyone's eyes on her, but refused to meet any of them.
"Tell me, were there any other survivors?" Plo Koon finally asked Anakin.
"We couldn't find anybody else."
"The hunters must have destroyed the rest."
Ahsoka's shoulders slumped. Leia took notice of how upset she seemed.
"They were good men." Ahsoka whispered sadly and Leia saw Master Plo squeeze her hand comfortingly.
More death. Leia hadn't even considered how Ahsoka would feel about that. Forgetting, that even though Ahsoka was a few years older, she was nowhere near as experienced as her guardian had been. It might as well be her first time brushing with death.
"I'm sorry." Leia said, meaning more than she could ever explain. Knowing, the apology wouldn't be enough.
oOo
"You sure you don't want to rest with the others?" Leia asked Ahsoka.
"No, I'm fine. Besides, I can't pass the opportunity, when I know that's the only reason you're letting me in front of the controls." Said Ahsoka cheerfully, sitting in the co-pilot's seat which Leia had occupied only moments before, worrying about the said person's fate.
Leia smiled, but it wasn't her real one.
If Ahsoka had been Leia's guardian, she would have known that Leia was currently feeling guilty. But she wasn't her.
Leia leaned against the backside of Anakin's seat whit him piloting the shuttle.
This wasn't right.
It wasn't right, that Leia was the one calling Anakin Master, while Ahsoka called Plo Koon her's. Yet, no one seemed to be aware of that except for her. Because she was the one out of place. She was the imposter. She was the selfish one. And Ahsoka almost died because of that.
"You okay?" Leia cocked her head, looking down at Anakin as he stared up at her.
Those were Luke's eyes. And for a moment Leia could pretend it was her best friend she was currently staring at. But only for a moment, because while they were similar in some ways. They were completely different in others.
Because Anakin's eyes never held the same curiosity and child-like wonder Luke's always had. Instead, they showed experience, wisdom and pain.
Leia nodded, blinking. She wasn't used to the concern.
A deep frown appeared between Anakin's eyebrows, as he looked away.
"What happened, anyway?" Leia asked, turning her head to look at Ahsoka and her Master. She needed to concentrate on something. Something, that wouldn't let her question just how bad she was messing things up by being here.
"We tracked the mystery weapon to this system. That is when we found out it was an ion cannon." Plo Koon explained.
Leia's eyebrows rose. "An ion cannon?"
"A weapon that neutralizes all power to their ships, leaving the targets defenseless." Ahsoka added helpfully.
Leia frowned to herself, thoughtful. She didn't think she'd heard of such thing before, which must mean it had lost it's effect at some point.
Leia sighed. But, yet again, what did she know about enemy weapons? She had been eight at that time. Then, a year later, found herself in the Empire's clutches when everything fell apart.
"There's a massive vessel approaching." Anakin said, glancing at the scanner.
"Shut down the power systems before they detect us." Master Plo commanded, hurriedly punching over the controls.
Darkness greeted Leia, as all light disappeared from within the shuttle and they stopped moving, floating in space instead.
Artoo chirped.
"The droid." Plo Koon reminded.
Leia stumbled toward the astromech droid, shutting him off, but not after he wailed pitifully. It wasn't the first time she did that, at least not for her. However, it was the first time she felt like apologizing for it.
Leia walked back toward the viewpoint, her mouth dropping open.
"Well, doesn't that look friendly enough not to crush us?"
It was huge. A heavy warship and it was heading straight toward them.
Leia felt like holding her breath as it slowly moved past them in the semi-darkness. But then, just when she thought they were in the safe, it started to turn.
"They are coming back." Anakin drawled.
"Were all the systems shut down?"
Just as Plo Koon voiced his question the medical droid presented itself.
"Is there a problem, sir?"
Leia groaned. "Of course we had to forget the medical droid."
All four of them rushed to the controls, trying to turn the power back on as quickly as possible.
"We've got to get the power back on, now. " Anakin urged.
"May I be of assistance?" The medical droid asked.
"No thanks. Just get in the back and take care of the clones."
"That is my programming, sir."
"Come on, we've gotta get out of here."Anakin prompted.
"I'm on it!" Leia yelled annoyed, trading places with Ahsoka.
They moved trough the debris field, as quickly as they could.
"Artoo, program the navicomputer. Be ready to get us out of here."
"May I remind you, he's still turned off?"
"Don't worry, I'll get him." Ahsoka assured.
They lurched to the side, as Anakin maneuvered trough the obstacles.
"Artoo, program the hyperdrive." Anakin ordered.
Artoo chirped a question, which, surprisingly, Leia understood.
"Doesn't matter, just hurry!" Leia screeched, momentarily forgetting herself.
They moved at the largest speed they could muster. Her Master skillfully moving trough the debris field.
Leia's eyes widened as she saw the huge glowing energy field in the scanner moving just inches away from them. One wrong move and the ship would be stripped of it's power, leaving them defenseless.
"Clear!" Leia shouted, just as they made it out of the debris field.
Then they were moving through hyperspace, and Leia felt herself sigh in relief.
oOo
"So how is your training going with Master Plo?" Leia asked Ahsoka as she checked on Artoo who still seemed grumpy after being disconnected by her previously.
They were at the Jedi Cruiser, having made it safely, with their Masters still at the shuttle probably discussing some things, or just checking on the clones.
"Great, actually. We haven't been on many missions so far, and he is a member of the Council, but I couldn't have asked for a better Master." Leia inwardly cringed at that. "What about you?"
Leia shrugged, "Adjusting."
Ahsoka frowned, "You're struggling?"
Leia shook her head, if only it were that simple. "It's not about that."
"What do you mean? Have you changed your mind?"
"No, I haven't. Forget I said anything." Leia said, feeling frustrated. She glanced back at the shuttle, they should come out any minute now.
"Is it about the future thing?" Ahsoka asked softly.
Leia's eyes widened, as she quickly glanced around to see if anybody overheard. There were a few clones around, but they seemed to mind their own business.
"Ahsoka!"
"I know, I know. But it is about that, isn't it?"
Leia bit her lip, groaning inwardly. She just had to tell Ahsoka, didn't she?
"In a way. But I told you, no one knows that besides you and the Council, so would you mind keeping your voice down?"
Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "No one is listening, not that they would understand even if they were and… Wait, your Master doesn't know?!"
Leia shushed her, glancing at Artoo distrustingly before pulling Ahsoka aside.
"I can't believe you Spacegirl, Masters and Padawans shouldn't be keeping secrets from each other."
"I'm not keeping secrets, I'm just…withholding information. Besides, the Council agreed it would be better if my Master didn't know."
"The Council told you that!?" Ahsoka shouted aghast. "But…"
"You're not going to change my mind on this 'Soka. The relationship between me and my Master is strained enough after he refused to train me."
Ahsoka's eyes widened. "He did that?! But why?"
Leia rolled her eyes. "You said it yourself before, he's the Chosen One, and I'm pretty sure he's aware of that fact too."
"But you're…"
"Another youngling he knows nothing about. I'm not just going to go around telling everyone I'm 'special'. I'd only be setting them up for a huge disappointment, anyway."
"You're not a disappointment." Ahsoka objected seriously.
Leia smiled sadly, "Even though I refuse to tell you anything about the future?"
"Even though. Besides, you saved my life, don't think I'll forget that anytime soon. "
Leia rolled her eyes, but smiled slightly.
"Thanks for getting us out of there in one peace General Skywalker." Both girls turned to see Leia's Master descending down the ledge with the Commander.
"You have my Padawan to thank for that. She seemed certain you guys would pull trough." Anakin said, once again frowning at the said Padawan.
"General Plo said someone would come for us, we're glad he was right."
"You mean, I told you, that Leia would come." Ahsoka corrected.
"You too, Ahsoka."
Leia chuckled, raising one eyebrow at Ahsoka.
"What? I did tell them. Except no one was listening. They didn't even believe me when I told them you would go off alone if you had to. And don't tell me you wouldn't have, I'm pretty sure I know you well enough by now." Ahsoka ranted, not noticing Leia's expression.
Something in Leia's throat tightened. Because Ahsoka was right, she would have.
And finally, Leia realized it. She might have lost her guardian, and while coming here hadn't exactly brought her back, she'd gained something just as valuable: a friend.
"Skywalker, it is time to give our report to the Council." Plo Koon said, moving down the shuttle's ledge.
Leia inwardly groaned.
"Right, the Council report…" Her Master didn't seem to be looking forward to it either. "Come on, Leia."
Leia grimaced, glancing around her as if for a way out. "Maybe I'll sit this one out, but you go Master."
"Oh no, Princess, if I'm getting in trouble for this, you're gonna share some of the blame too."
Leia huffed, but moved to follow them.
"I don't get it, you seem to get along just fine. He even has a nickname for you." Ahsoka whispered, falling into step with Leia.
Leia barely refrained from groaning out loud.
"That's what you decide to concentrate on? His nickname for me?"
Ahsoka shrugged, "Yet, you allow him to call you that. If I remember it right, when I first called you Spacegirl you almost bit my head off."
"No, I didn't."
"You almost certainly did."
"Well, you're still walking with one, are you not? Besides, he's my Master."
"Like that would stop you." Okay, maybe Ahsoka had a point. It certainly hadn't stoped her from accusing him of being a murderer.
"What are the two of you whispering about?" Anakin asked suspiciously, glancing back at them.
"Nothing." They both said simultaneously.
Ahsoka shot her a smug look, which Leia ignored.
Still. She wondered. Why di d she allow him to call her that?
It was a title she despised as a child, never managing to completely free herself from it. It was a derision of everything she was and wasn't.
But maybe that was it.
Unlike most, he never said it with fake respect, neither did he say it with mockery.
Instead, it sounded like an endearment of sorts.
Leia stopped herself at that thought.
It didn't matter. Once again, Leia was beginning to get too comfortable. And she knew how that always ended.
Leia glanced at her fellow Padawan. She had Ahsoka; that had to be enough. Anything else would only lead to more pain and Leia had enough of that already. One more loss and she was pretty sure she would break. And this time, no one would be able to put her back together again.
oOo
Um, hi guys. It's been some time now, hasn't it? And I'm sorry for that. Apparently, trying to retell a TV show isn't as easy as I thought. Mostly because I had to rewatch the episode a dozen of times which gets annoying real fast. But haven't you done the same with the Clone Wars movie, you might ask. And to answer that, no, I haven't, because I had actually been using the Clone Wars book, but since there isn't one retelling the TV show, I'm completely on my own.
That's where my request comes in. Could anyone, anyone at all take up the job of rewriting the episodes of the show so then I could later use them for my story? Because for some stupid reason I can't make myself rewrite the scenes with Ahsoka in them instead of Leia first and just edit it later. No, all I seem to be able to do is watch the same scene a dozen times, imagining Leia in it. And guys, watching it on my computer and at the same time writing on my phone isn't ideal, especially when I don't seem to hear the dialogue the first time and have to replay it a bunch of times. Seriously, like the first page of this chapter was peace of cake, so was the last, since they were all me, including the flashbacks and Leia's inner dialogue. But the scenes from the TV series…uhhhhhhhhhhh. So yeah, if anyone, anyone at all, could help me I would really appreciate it.
And if nobody does, well…. I will continue the story, however, it might actually take me much longer to update and I'm sorry. I'm trying my best.
And if anybody is interested, just PM me in the following two weeks, and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can and we'll run trough the details. And don't be scared, you won't need to rewrite the whole series, or anything like that, just some episodes and only the scenes whit Ahsoka in them. :)
Now. About this chapter. I can't wait to hear what you guys think :D I hope you're all happy with Ahsoka's role in this story. I have been dropping some hints in the previous chapters, don't know if anybody noticed and tell me if you did ;)
Also, I hope it all makes sense. From the beginning I knew Leia had to have some person she could feel close to of some sorts, that wouldn't let her fall to the dark side. And while Luke is in a way one too, he's still gone, and is one of the main reasons Leia struggles so much.
I also hope you can see just how much Leia is actually holding in is this chapter, because it is insanely hard for her. And I know she seems a bit too mature to some of you, but she also had been trough a lot, which forces a person, in this case, a child, grow up quicker than they should. But emotionally… Yeah, I hope you can see that she is, in fact, very much a kid inside. I mean she's twelve, for god's sake. She's allowed to have her outbursts. She's strong enough as it is.
Anyway, please, pleeeeease, tell me your thoughts on this in the comments. Also, what do you think about Anakin and Ahsoka? Is Ahsoka and Leia's friendship a bit too much? I wanna hear what you think of Anakin's view is in all of this :) Is he suspicious of Leia yet, or not? And what of out trusted Chancellor? Tell me in the reviews! I would appreciate it a lot.
There might still be some mistakes in this chapter, but please, don't judge me too much. I'm trying my best.
Thank you all and I'll see you…, well, it all depends on weather a savior is gonna show up to help me with the TV show scenes or not, but hopefully soon. ;)
REVIEW!!!!