Chapter 17
Time Skip: 12 months
As Ahsoka straightens her headdress, her smile falters. Something feels off. She pushes the feeling to the back of her mind, attributing it to nerves. It's a big night, it was one year on the day that her and James had their first date. God that was cringey.
A knock at the door, "Ahsoka, you getting close?" James asks.
"Just a minute!" She calls, scrambling for her shoes.
As she slides her feet into her shoes, "Ahsoka."
Not now, Daughter, Ahsoka thinks, ignoring the whisper. Turning back to the mirror one last time, Ahsoka yelps as she sees the image of the Daughter hovering in the mirror. Quickly turning around and seeing nothing, she faces the mirror again.
"I do not like being ignored," The Daughter states, expressionless.
"Yeah, well, I'm a little busy," Ahsoka says.
Without even blinking, "You are running out of time."
"But you won't even tell me what I'm running out of time for," Ahsoka says.
"But I have. You failed to recognize it at the time and refuse to see it now."
"Look, I really have to go," Ahsoka states, leaving the bathroom.
Setting down her wine glass, Ahsoka freezes as her senses scream at her.
Ahsoka looks around, her montrals buzzing with activity.
"You can't shoot this one, Ahsoka. Come on," James says, standing up and leading her away.
They round a corner and come to three fountains surrounded by dazzling lights, Ahsoka's jaw dropped at the beautiful scene before them.
Ahsoka looks back down as she feels James take her hand in his, her hand covering her mouth as she realizes that he's kneeling.
"James…" Ahsoka starts.
"Ahsoka, my life has been an incredible journey ever since you came here. You have been there for me when no one else was, and I love you with all of my heart. Ahsoka Tano, will you marry me?"
Tears in her eyes, Ahsoka nods, "Yes. Yes!"
James tenderly slides the diamond ring over her finger before standing up. He pulls Ahsoka into a kiss, finally releasing her Ahsoka sees Rex walking up to them, holding a camera.
"Congratulations you two." Rex says, pulling Ahsoka into a hug.
Just as Rex goes to shake James's hand, the Force screams at Ahsoka, DANGER!
Ahsoka's sabers ignite just as the first gunshot rings out, Rex falling. Ahsoka looks for a shooter, then the second shot fires from the east. James is knocked to the ground with a grunt.
Ahsoka pulls James into cover behind the fountains, checking his wound. Left shoulder, high. Non-lethal. Ahsoka breathes a sigh of relief. Rex. Rex isn't moving. Ahsoka uses her phone as a mirror to spot the shooter, only to have her phone burst into dust.
"Shit! Rex!"
Another shot hits the edge of the fountain, concrete flying everywhere.
"Damnit!" Ahsoka screams.
Closing her eyes, Ahsoka focuses the Force, using its invisible hand to pull down the fountain and create some cover. She yanks off her high heels and leaps for her newfound cover, a shot ricocheting off the cement.
"Rex! Rex, can you hear me?" Ahsoka asks frantically, rolling him over.
All of her worst fears are realized as she sees the gaping hole in Rex's head, his eyes glazed over.
"No. No, no, no, no, no!"
Ahsoka reaches into the Force, looking for Rex's life force. Nothing. She sees James, pulsing in pain. She screams, a scream of raw agony. Another shot blows concrete dust on them, obscuring her vision. As it clears, she notices something is different. Was Rex wearing armor?
"Ahsoka, Rex, come on, we need to—" The voice of Anakin starts. Ahsoka's head snaps over to his voice, not believing her eyes.
Before she can say anything, Anakin falls to his knees, "Re-Rex? Rex?"
An explosion rocks them as they each try to process everything, "Anakin, he's gone. He's gone."
Anakin nods, picking up the dead Commander and slinging him over his shoulder. His expression hard, he jumps out of their cover, running for the landing zone, Ahsoka right behind him.
Stepping onto the gunship, Ahsoka's mind is reeling. Finally catching an idea as to what's happening, Ahsoka quietly slips off her new engagement ring, dropping it into her pocket. My clothes changed too.
Wandering the halls of the Venator as if in a dream, Ahsoka makes her way back to her quarters. For a brief moment panic sets in, Ahsoka not knowing her passcode. After a second's thought she types it in, the door hissing open.
Plopping down on her bed, Ahsoka pulls her engagement ring out of its pocket and slides it back onto her finger. A few seconds of looking at it and she covers her face with her hands, sobbing.
Ahsoka wakes up, startled. She looks around, the previous night's experience coming back to her. She glances down at her ring, bringing her back to reality.
"What the fuck?" Ahsoka asks herself, still in shock.
"I couldn't have put it better myself," The familiar accent of Obi-Wan Kenobi's voice says.
Ahsoka quickly hides her left hand, Obi-Wan's eyes following, "About that," Obi-Wan starts.
Ahsoka's eyes look everywhere but Kenobi's.
"I figured while Anakin works himself out I'd get the full story from you," Obi-Wan says.
"And I mean the full story," He adds.
"In all honesty, I don't have the slightest idea what is going on. I was there and now I'm here and… Macy!" Ahsoka stands up, Obi-Wan blocking her from leaving.
"Surely, story time isn't over quite so soon?" Obi-Wan asks light heartedly.
"Ahsoka, I need to know what's going on. Anakin is the last person I'm going to get anything from, so I need to hear it from you and report to the council," Obi-Wan says, his tone firm.
"I just told you, I don't know what's happening. I don't have the slightest inclination as to what's happening. It was a happy night, everything was good, and now Rex is dead, and my fiancée is wounded…" Ahsoka trails off, Oops.
"Ahsoka, did you say your fiancée? Are you feeling alright?" Obi-Wan asks, leaning forward.
Ahsoka swallows, checking to make sure the door is closed.
"Master Kenobi," Ahsoka says composing herself, "You have to swear that what I am about to tell you will never reach the ears of anyone else, not the council, and certainly not Anakin."
Obi-Wan pauses before nodding slowly, stroking his beard.
"I do not fully understand this myself, so I could be very wrong about some of this. I just got dropped into this hours ago. For the last two years I have been living on Earth, a planet outside of this galaxy. Rex and I were there together, crash landed after Order— I'm sorry, this is really difficult for me."
Obi-Wan nods, hand on his chin, "If I may," Obi-Wan pauses, Ahsoka nodding, "Why is your right lek missing? And the scars?"
"I have yet to fully understand that one as well. There was an… Apparition, of the Force. He— He tried to kill me, then vanished."
"Who tried to kill you?" Obi-Wan asks.
Ahsoka lets out a long sigh, wetting her lips, "Anakin. A fallen version of Anakin appeared in a Kyber cave on Earth, he attacked me. As we are all aware, I did not last long."
"Master," Ahsoka says, the word alien to her tongue, "We have a lot to do and very little time to do it. I don't believe it would be wise to tell you everything I know, there is simply too much at risk."
"I understand. If at all possible, try to help Anakin. He's fragile right now, so be cautious."
"Yes, master."
Authors Note:
Well, that one took long enough. Not sure if I'll keep it, but I will for the first draft. Second draft things may get switched around after the first draft of this story is done. This has been the plan for a while now, not since the beginning, the killing of Rex was planned from the beginning but the return to Star Wars has been in the works since probably Chapter 8 or so. Fun chapter, bit of a longer chapter as well, but not by much.
Rat is short for Ratthew.
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Every time you walk your skeleton is stepping on your skin.
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