Chapter 43 - The New Padawans
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Author's Note: After soooo long, this story has finally come to a close. Enjoy the ending! Thank you all so much for reading, favoriting, following, and/or reviewing this fic! :D
~ Amina Gila
One Year Later
"Caleb!" Obi-Wan calls, turning to his newly taken padawan. "It's time to go!" Caleb Dume had initially been Depa's padawan, but since she was killed in Order 66, he needed a new master. After a lot of consideration, Obi-Wan had finally volunteered. He hadn't been intending to take a padawan this soon – maybe never – but things have changed and there's far more padawans than masters available. And he has to admit, Caleb has been an easier padawan to handle then Anakin. Although to be fair that can hardly be compared, since for some unfathomable reason, Caleb practically worships Obi-Wan and Anakin.
"He seems pretty trapped in that conversation," remarks Anakin with a smirk when the younger boy still doesn't seem to hear. Pretty much ever since they arrived not long ago on Ryloth, he's been talking to a ten-year-old green Twi'lek girl.
"So, I've noticed," Obi-Wan replies dryly, before turning his attention to their audience.
"Thank you for your efforts," says Cham Syndulla, the leader of the Twi'leks. Obi-Wan and Anakin, and their padawans arrived on Ryloth with a group of formerly enslaved Twi'leks who wanted to return to their home planet.
Now that Supreme Chancellor Padme Amidala has brought many situations with the New Republic under control, the Jedi were sent to start bringing an end to slavery throughout the galaxy. Both Anakin and Ahsoka were more than a little enthusiastic that they were finally able to do this.
"It's our duty," replies Obi-Wan.
"Caleb!" Ahsoka calls this time, heading over to her fellow padawan.
He jumps. "Yes?"
"Time to go."
He exchanges a few more words to the girl before finally, finally coming. Artoo rolls after, beeping a mournful goodbye after being interrupted mid-way in his animated conversation with a fellow astromech droid. An old-looking orange one that must belong to the girl.
The last thing Obi-Wan hears as the group reboard the shuttle is Cham Syndulla saying, "Hera, come!"
"You seemed awfully occupied," teases Anakin, but he's glad to see his padawan-brother making friends. After everything happened, Caleb was one of the ones affected the worst. He was just reaching padawan age.
"It was an interesting planet."
"More like an interesting girl," he smirks.
"Hey, maybe we should spar?" Ahsoka suggests to the other padawan. "I think you could do with some touching-up."
"Don't damage anything," Anakin warns when the two stand up and head to farther back in the hold room. White and blue are streaking outside, and it will be a few hours before they arrive on Coruscant. Now that the mission is complete, Anakin remembers what Padme had told him a few months prior, which he still isn't sure how to react to. He's going to be a father. Soon. Too soon. He's excited and nervous at once. He has no idea how to be a father.
"You seem nervous," Obi-Wan remarks with a knowing smirk.
Anakin scowls. "Just wait until you become a father." After the Order was reformed, him and Ahsoka finally managed to convince him to visit Satine on Mandalore. They're supposed to be getting married eventually, though Obi-Wan had been... a bit reluctant. He insisted it was just because the Order was reforming and he needed to focus on that, not having a family of his own, but Anakin is quite certain it's because he's afraid. Which is understandable. After a lifetime of having to hold back, it would be hard for anyone to suddenly get over the change.
"I feel like I already am one," the Jedi Master replies, looking at him pointedly.
Anakin rolls his eyes. "Then how did you feel when I got dumped on your head?"
"Like I had to keep an eye on a nine-year-old terror. Luckily for you, your child will just be a baby."
Anakin glares at him. "I was not that bad."
"I'm still recovering."
"Mmhmm. Then why'd you take another padawan?"
"Because he wasn't a literal nightmare," Obi-Wan quips, "And it'll give me a good reason to get out of babysitting. You and Ahsoka will have to do it all."
"Hey, no fair!" Anakin protests.
"It's a perfectly fair exchange for the amount you two have made me do," he shoots back, suppressing laughter.
"Hardly," he huffs.
"Hey, want to come join us?" Ahsoka calls from where her and Caleb are still sparing.
"There's not enough room without risking damaging anything," Obi-Wan objects, frowning.
"Oh, come on, Master, we'll be careful," Anakin smirks, igniting his lightsaber and running to join the padawans.
"Children," Obi-Wan grouses, "This is what I mean."
**w**
The shuttle finally lands in the Temple hanger, and the four Jedi disembark.
"Anyway, I'm heading for the Senate now," Anakin announces, climbing into his speeder.
"I'm coming," Ahsoka decides. Padme is something like an older sister, or maybe mother, to her, but they hardly have time to be together now. Padme is extremely busy, being the Chancellor and all. Soon, though, there's going to be some... complications. Her and Anakin are going to have a child soon. She's still not sure how Padme's planning to handle that, plus running the galaxy. Her handmaids will help, but that will only do so much.
"Are you coming, Master?" Anakin asks as Ahsoka climbs in a speeder beside him. Obi-Wan and Caleb pause from where they were starting to head off.
"Oh no. I'm not brave enough for politics," Obi-Wan insists. "Besides, I have to report to the Council."
"Hold on," Anakin protests, "This whole part of the operation was your idea. You planned it. You led the rescue operation."
Obi-Wan smirks slightly. "Let's not forget that you rescued us from those rancors and fought off the slavers. And rescued all those Twi'leks before they were killed, while I was stunned during the battle."
"Excuse me!" Ahsoka protests, "I thought I was the one who rescued you from the rancors."
"And then I rescued you," Anakin shoots back.
"I didn't need your rescuing!"
"Yes, you did! You were about to get eaten!"
"I had the situation completely under control," Ahsoka insists grumpily.
"If being on the end of rancors teeth is called 'under control', sure," Caleb retorts.
"So, as I was saying," Obi-Wan interjects, "I'm sure you can handle any politicians who try talking to you at the Senate by yourself."
"Alright," huffs Anakin, "But you owe me... and not for saving your skin for the tenth time."
"Ninth time," Obi-Wan counters, "That business on Cato Neimoidia doesn't count. I'll see you at the briefing."
"Nine times?" exclaims Caleb, "Your former padawan had to rescue you that often?"
"You have no idea," offers Anakin with a smirk as he fires up in the engine in the speeder. He and Ahsoka blast out of the hanger, leaving Obi-Wan and Caleb behind.
Not long later, the two of them have landed outside the Senate building. Ahsoka doesn't think she'll ever get used to Padme having a different office. She was so used to going to Padme's former one, and the Chancellor's office does not give the best memories. At least, that, she can try to put in the past. Dooku has long since been taken care of. She shies away from the pain his memory brings. Everything he did was his choice, even if Falling wasn't, because sometimes she can't help but wonder about that. After Sidious was gone, there was nothing to stop him from making his own choices. He didn't have to do what he did. It was completely voluntary, unlike her and Asajj.
When they reach Padme's office, she looks up immediately. "Ani! Ahsoka!" she exclaims, rising from her seat and hurrying over to them. She hugs them both. "It's good to see you back."
"Have you been alright?" Anakin asks a tad anxiously.
"Of course, I have been," Padme assures him with a smile, "I know this is hardly the best place for this, but we're going to have twins."
"What?!" Anakin squeaks, and Ahsoka isn't sure if she should feel bad for him or outright laugh like the evil little sister she is.
"They're twins," Padme repeats, "A boy and a girl."
"I knew we were having a girl!" insists Anakin.
"And I knew that we were going to have a boy," Padme retaliates.
"And I knew that it was a good idea to stay out of the debate over which you'd be having," chirps Ahsoka. She wasn't sure whether she wanted a niece or nephew first, so she never gave her input. She knew she'd have one either way, because there's no way these twins will be the only children her brother has.
"Either way, you would've been right," Anakin replies smugly.
"I have an appointment in a few minutes," Padme declares with a slight hint of regret in her voice, glancing over at the clock on the wall, "Why don't you come over to my apartment tonight?"
"Of course!" Anakin agrees readily.
"Not like you'd ever say no," Ahsoka mutters.
"Sometimes, I might. Like during boring Senate meetings."
"How do you know there won't be one now?" Padme teases.
"Because you would've warned me."
"Maybe next time I won't," she says with a mischievous grin.
Anakin groans, then turns to Ahsoka. "If Padme has an appointment, we should be going, right?"
She shrugs. "Sure." She casts another glance back at Padme, almost wanting to stay, but decides against it. She'd consider coming over again tonight with Anakin, but the two of them ought to have some time together alone. Ahsoka understands this must be stressful, though she can't possibly relate to it. She doesn't understand what it's like to have feelings for someone – personally, she doesn't think she ever will. She doesn't want to have any of that, even if she might like to raise – and have – a child of her own someday.
The pair head out of the office and start heading back to their speeder. "At least you have some experience with me," Ahsoka offers.
"That won't be enough to compare to two Skywalkers," he mutters.
"Well since you are a Skywalker, I hope you know how to deal with them," Ahsoka points out with a grin.
"That's not the only problem."
"... What do you mean?" she asks, slightly confused. What's he talking about?
"Well... the Council believes that you are ready to be Knighted."
"What?!" she half-hisses, half-gasps. "When?"
"They've been talking about it for a while," he responds lightly. "Now that we're back from the mission, they could be discussing it any time."
**w**
Ahsoka can hardly believe that this is really happening. She's been waiting for the day for so long, the day she'll actually be able to call herself a full-fledged Jedi Knight. In the old Order, she hadn't been that eager for it, knowing that it would mean she wouldn't be able to be around Anakin as much anymore. And, of course, back then, she hardly considered herself worthy of being a Jedi in the first place. But in the new Order, with the rules on attachments so different, she may be a little nervous, but she's still excited.
Silently, she approaches the entrance to the Hallway of Knighthood. The doors slide open in front of her before immediately clicking closed as she steps further into the darkened room. Using the Force to guide her, she makes her way to the center of the circle.
All at once, lightsabers activate around her. Six blades – a mixture of blue and green – ignite around her. At this point, the Council still doesn't have as many members as it used to since the Order is still very small. Besides, not all of them are on Coruscant either.
"We are all Jedi," Yoda speaks the words, for once not talking backwards, "The Force speaks through us. Through our actions, the Force proclaims itself and what is real. Today we are here to acknowledge what the Force has proclaimed."
"Ahsoka Tano," he calls, his gaze turning to her. She steps forwards and kneels in front of him, placing her lightsaber hilts on the floor in front of her. The other Masters lower their lightsabers towards the floor as Yoda continues.
"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee Jedi Knight of the Order," Yoda states bringing his lightsaber down above each of her shoulders. Since she doesn't have a padawan braid the same way species with hair do, that part of the ceremony is skipped.
The Grandmaster finally steps back, raising his green blade. She rises to her feet, picking up her lightsabers, and turns to leave the Hall, signaling the end of the knighting ceremony.
Ahsoka steps back out into the hall, standing there for a long moment, staring down at the string of silka beads in her hands. The phase of her life of being an apprentice – formerly a Sith apprentice, then later a Jedi padawan, is over. She's a Knight now. She can still hardly believe it. And now that he's successfully trained a padawan, Anakin will be made a Jedi Master, a title he deserves more than anyone. He's the one who held everything together, who had the strength to fight back. It was him alone who defeated Dooku in the end.
**w**
"There's no way I could train a padawan!" Ahsoka practically wails as Anakin drags her down the Temple halls.
"As Obi-Wan always used to tell me," Anakin smirks, "It's a Jedi's duty to help train the next generation. Especially now." Her complaints are far too comical, but he hopes this was the right decision. She is still very young to handle something like this, but he has faith she can do it. Besides, the more padawans trained, the better. The Order is struggling to rebuild, and it will take generations to return to its former numbers.
"But I was just Knighted! Only two months ago!" whines Ahsoka. "There's no way I could be ready so soon!"
"In case you weren't aware, Obi-Wan took a padawan the same day he was knighted," he retorts.
"That was different! He was twenty-five and I'm only seventeen!"
"Just teach him everything I taught you, and he'll turn out fine," Anakin insists.
"Somehow, I doubt that." she grumbles.
"Is there a problem?" a familiar voice asks. Anakin turns to see Asajj approaching them. Her new Wookie padawan is tagging along behind. As Ahsoka had promised Asajj, she'd been able to get her an acquittal for her crimes during the war. After the Empire and everything, the Senate and populace were far less concerned about Asajj's crimes compared to Dooku's. Even so, it had taken a lot of convincing before the Nightsister had agreed to rejoin the Jedi. And it wasn't until very recently that she finally thought herself capable of taking on a padawan. She only did due to Ahsoka's convincing.
What Anakin can only be grateful for is that Dooku had taken his time as Emperor to do one good thing: disclose to the public about who Sidious really was. It... was apparently enough for the public to let off Ahsoka for what she did, though he suspects there's still much suspicion and mistrust for both her and Anakin himself, which he can understand and respect.
Over the time, Anakin and Asajj have formed somewhat of a bond, Anakin having realized how similar she is to Ahsoka. Both were slaves and started as Jedi before falling down a darker path, being used by Dooku for something far greater than they could comprehend or stand up against. They were both betrayed by the same person. Anakin still has a touch of wariness around the Nightsister because of their past history, but it's slowly giving way to a more sincere friendship.
Asajj's padawan – a Wookie named Gungi – happily growls a greeting.
"Not in particular," Anakin shrugs.
"You could say that." huffs Ahsoka.
"Well, whatever's wrong?"
"Shall I just say I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine?" Anakin asks with a smirk.
Ahsoka crosses her arms grumpily. "At least I was being reasonable, unlike you, Skyguy."
"What? She's scared to take a padawan?" Asajj asks, amusement flicking through her gaze.
"I'm not scared! I'm just..." Ahsoka trails off.
"Look, you don't need to worry so much. Anakin and Obi-Wan will be perfectly willing to help you out if there's a problem," reminds Asajj.
She sighs. "I still don't think I'm ready."
"I do," Anakin replies smugly. "And since you're technically still a minor, I get to say."
"That's all the more reason," she insists.
"Come on. How about you meet your new padawan and then decide?"
"You already chose one for me?" she asks, resigned.
"Yep!" he exclaims maybe a little too cheerfully, "And I'm getting one too."
"Whaaaat?!"
"And they're in the same class," he continues, completely unperturbed, "They're probably friends."
Ahsoka lets out a groan. "Fine. Then let's go meet our new padawans, and then I'll decide."
It doesn't take long for them to arrive at their destination, leaving Asajj behind.
**w**
Anakin's new padawan, Ketooni, and Ahsoka's, Petro, sit side by side in front of a diagram of lightsabers, constructing their first ones. Caleb hovers in the background, trying to help, but Anakin is pretty sure all he's doing is making Petro annoyed and Ketooni more nervous than she was in the first place.
"What's the rush, Petro?" sighs Ketooni as the boy – hardly looking at the diagram – hurriedly connects the pieces of his lightsaber, proudly holding up the finished weapon. Ketonni has hardly even begun assembling hers yet, still getting the pieces ready.
"With this lightsaber, I'm going to challenge Obi-Wan Kenobi to a duel, and kill Dooku," announces Petro proudly.
"Dooku is already dead,silly," Ketooni shoots back. "My master killed him a long time ago."
"At this rate, the only one you'll be killing with that is yourself," Caleb informs him, arms crossed. "You've inverted the emitter matrix, which will make the power grid backfire."
"If you ignite it, the only thing left of you and your lightsaber will be your crystal," Ahsoka adds, standing up and coming over to him. "You'll have to start over. Slow down and quiet your mind. The design will become clear."
Anakin smirks. She's a very good teacher already, even though she stubbornly insists otherwise.
She walks back over to where he's standing near Obi-Wan, leaving the padawans to work in silence on their lightsabers. One thing is for sure; Ketooni is going to be an easier padawan to train than Petro.
"You know, you're doing fine teaching him," Anakin remarks.
"I still think you intentionally picked him," she accuses. He offers an innocent smile.
"Maybe he needed an easy padawan right now," Obi-Wan offers, "Being a new father and such." Anakin and Padme's children were recently born. Luke and Leia. They're so strong in the Force, much like Anakin himself, and... he has to admit he's grateful it's not quite as strong for them as it was for him. It won't be so overwhelming it hurts, at least.
"So now you admit I had a reason to be nervous," Anakin mutters.
Obi-Wan smirks. "If it's really that bad, maybe you should call in the 501st for babysitting duty. I'm sure they'd enjoy it."
Ahsoka snorts. "Yeah, it'd be a great break from fighting, I think. Though it might prove to be more challenging."
"I'd consider it, but I think Padme has things under control for now. They haven't even learned to sit up yet," Anakin replies, "Besides, I think the clones have more important things to do right now."
After the majority of the clones were de-chipped, the survivors who didn't want to leave – there was a large number that did, simply because they were tired of fighting or held too much guilt over the role they played in the destruction of the Jedi – had stayed. Many of them have gone to the Outer Rim, finally taking a stand against slavery. The clones have taken over many planets, including Tatooine. And as for Zygerria, well, their queen will regret the day she laid eyes on Ahsoka, Anakin will make sure of that.
Anakin turns to look out the window at the familiar skyline of Coruscant, the same spot he's often stood to watch the sky since he first came here fourteen years ago. The city hasn't changed much – not even with the Empire and everything – but he certainly has. He's become so much closer to Obi-Wan since he was so many years ago.
And, of course, Ahsoka. He can't imagine how things would have been if he hadn't met her and saved her from the Sith before finally raising her as a padawan. He glances back at the three newly taken padawans who are still seated on the other side of the room, having some sort of discussion about lightsabers now that Petro and Ketooni have finished assembling theirs. All a part of his very strange family.
It's strange how as much as he hates Dooku, it's because of him that everything is how it is now. If not for what Dooku did, the Order may never have changed the way it did, at least not without being completely destroyed, for many years. And if Sidious hadn't been killed when he was, Anakin doesn't want to think about what could have happened either, even if he's still struggling with the loss of one of his closest friends.
But he does know one thing. The road behind him may have been difficult – and undoubtedly there are many more difficulties ahead – but everything that has happened has led him to this place, and he wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.
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