Chapter 15

(The last section of this chapter, in italics, may be a little graphic for younger readers. Not sexual or even super gory, just kinda gory/deathly. Just FYI.)

"Look, James, I was meant to die on a battlefield from the moment I was 'born', so I don't claim to be an expert on any of this, but it's clear to me that you have feelings for her," Rex says.

"Maybe so, Rex," James says, looking back toward the two girls.

"So, what's stopping you? What's stopping you from marching down there and telling her how you feel?" Rex asks.

James stares at them, Macy helping Ahsoka walk.

James sighs, "What if she doesn't reciprocate? What if it makes our current relationship too awkward to bear?"

"But what if she does reciprocate?" Rex asks.

"I don't know if that's something I'm willing to risk yet. Maybe I'll have a better idea of her position as time goes on," James says.

"So how was your first day of school?" Ahsoka asks from the front seat of the car.

"It was awesome! We got to play on the playground, which was kind of like some of the training centers at the temple, and I made a friend!" Macy answers.

"Oh? What's their name?" Ahsoka asks.

"His name is Trey," Macy replies.

James raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, relax James. Already worried about boys?" Ahsoka teases.

James chuckles, "No, just 'cautiously optimistic' as you would say."

"Well, I think Trey sounds like a lot of fun," Ahsoka says.

"You have any homework?" James asks.

"Yeah, Mrs. Towden apparently likes to assign a lot of it," Macy answers.

"We'll have to have James help you with it. While I'm sure you can do it, I think you may have some trouble with the alphabet they use around here. Speaking of, here's your lightsaber back," Ahsoka says, pulling the additional saber hilt off of her belt.

"Why do they find this necessary to teach kids?" James asks, shaking his head.

"Maybe so that they know how to speak and spell better than their adopted father," Ahsoka says.

"Hey, I know English just fine. Just 'cause I don't know what a predicate is doesn't mean I'm stupid," James states.

"Yeah, but you but you spelled vehicle as 'vehacle' on an official report to Parker," Ahsoka mentions.

"That doesn't count, I was tired," James retorts.

"And more than a little tipsy, as I recall," Rex adds.

"All because you said that we should go out drinking. You failed to mention that you clones were master drinkers," James responds.

"You two went out drinking? I could understand James, but you Rex? I didn't think you had much reason to drink." Ahsoka asks.

"Are you kidding? You and the General were plenty of reason for General Kenobi, Cody, and I to get wasted at least once a week," Rex states, chuckling.

"I'm more upset you didn't take me with you," Ahsoka says.

"Two things. Anakin would've killed us for 'corrupting' you like that, and two, you don't typically take your reason for drinking out drinking," Rex states.

"Anakin would not have—" Ahsoka starts.

"Yes, he would have, and on top of everything else, it was a hard enough time dealing with one drunk Force-sensitive. We knew once the drinks started floating that it was time to go home," Rex adds, chuckling.

Ahsoka pouts, "That sounds like so much fun though,"

"You know how uptight Cody was, he would never have involved an underage girl in our drinking games," Rex says.

"Now you're just trying to make me feel left out," Ahsoka says.

"I want in next time," Ahsoka orders.

James clears his throat, "Uh, Ahsoka, even if there was a next time, you're still nineteen. Legal drinking age is twenty-one here."

Using the Force to open the fridge and withdraw a bottle of wine, "Does this face look like it gives a damn?" Ahsoka says, uncorking the bottle and taking a considerable swig.

James clears his throat, his eyes darting over to Macy.

Ahsoka notices his gaze, "Sorry. Does this face look like it gives a darn?"

Rex tries his best to hold in his laugh before finally letting it ring out loud and clear, James joining him.

"What is so funny?" Ahsoka asks.

"Well, it's not so much the cursing that I was concerned about, but more so the blatant underage day drinking," James answers.

"I'm not driving anywhere and I'm not planning on doing anything else today. So, I don't see a problem with getting a little tipsy," Ahsoka says, taking another swig.

"I paid for that wine," James says in a last-ditch effort.

"You're paid to be here, so quiet." Ahsoka replies, hiccupping.

James looks at Rex for help, the former Captain shrugging.

A gunshot rings out, a person slumping to the ground, falling beneath the fog.

Ahsoka ignites her silver blades, holding them in front of and behind her, slowly spinning around.

Suddenly a cloud of red appears, Darth Maul slamming his dual blade onto Ahsoka. Without even thinking Ahsoka blocks with one blade and attacks with the other, running the blade through Maul's chest, pushing the dead Sith to the ground, his body disappearing into the mist.

"Ahsoka," Anakin's voice calls out, low and calm.

"Anakin," Ahsoka calls out, finally spotting him as he steps out of the fog.

"Do you know what I have done? What I have become?"

Anakin's form slowly morphs into that of a masked, black armored man.

Multiple children rise up from the fog around his feet, but looking closer Ahsoka notices the mutilation present. Lightsaber wounds, all over their little bodies, limbs missing, heads missing, large gashes in some of their faces.

Then Ahsoka hears Macy's voice, "Ahsoka! Help!"

Macy runs out of the fog, her arms in front of her, reaching for Ahsoka. The masked man before her ignites his crimson blade, swinging it in a single, lightning-fast motion.

Ahsoka screams as Macy's lifeless head rolls to her feet, dull eyes staring up at her.

Author's note:

The beginning of this one had me stuck for a while. I ended up scrapping the first half of the chapter at one point, rewriting it entirely. At this point I've seen so many memes of Obi-Wan drinking to be able to handle Anakin and Ahsoka's antics that it needs to be a fond memory. James is starting to become more of a fatherly figure, Ahsoka almost a bad influence. Almost.

Also, the whole "Vehacle" thing actually happened. A friend of mine decided that was how "vehicle" was spelled and put it into our design report. By some miracle the other four of us on the design team managed to completely miss the error. The guy's a genius when it comes to math but can't spell to save his life.

Mr. Rickroll

First, noice name. Second, no, the Empire will not be coming to Earth. I'm trying to focus more on the emotional journey of each character here and the effect of the Clone Wars on the adolescent minds. Ultimately, the only Star Wars part of this story is the presence of lightsabers, a clone, and Force-sensitives.

If you would like to support me and my writing endeavors, I have a T-shirt store (remove the #s):

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