"Ready to go, Snips?" Anakin asks lowly, glancing at his not-so-young Padawan.
She nods, her gaze heavy on the open casket on the other side of the room.
Anakin looks at Rex with despair. The Captain returns his own grim expression.
Since he landed on Onderon to take them home, Ahsoka hasn't said a word. She didn't even speak during the wake when she could have said her final goodbyes to Lux.
Her quietness isn't a good sign.
"Go to the ship," he tells Rex, "I'll meet you there in ten."
"Yes, sir." The clone leaves hesitantly- his worry for Ahsoka clear.
Anakin swoops an arm around Ahsoka's shoulders, subtly forcing her to sit on the bench behind them. She obeys without complaint- heightening his worry.
"Can I ask what's on your mind?" He asks, not knowing where her boundaries lie.
"That dead body over there."
Her tone is blunt from years of making humourless jokes about death with himself and the 501st boys. Sometimes, humour is the best way to get through a tough time.
"I'm sorry, Ahsoka." What else can he say besides that? "I know you cared about him."
They float into silence again. Anakin doesn't know how he can help. After he lost his mother, there was nobody to help him sift through the emotions that come with the death of a loved one. He wishes he could help her, but he just doesn't know how to.
"Lux knew Dooku was going to kill him." She says after a while, and then she scoffs lightly, "To be honest, I think he wanted Dooku to kill him."
Anakin frowns, "What makes you say that?"
She shrugs, her left arm completely refusing the movement. "Rex and I knew the Council would become more involved if Dooku killed me. Lux was smart enough to figure out that the death of a Senator would also cause some uproar."
Anakin goes quiet, mulling over her words.
The thought of Ahsoka fighting Dooku terrified him. Had the Sith Lord even scratched his Padawan, Anakin would've been on his way to Onderon in a heartbeat- screw the Council's wishes.
If a Senator had died at Dooku's hand, he doubts the Chancellor would let that slide. The Council would've sent a Knight to deal with the Sith if Dooku hadn't fled the system.
Ahsoka leans her head against his shoulder, her montral nearly poking him in the cheek. She sighs heavily, "I should've killed him, shouldn't I?"
"I would've."
Ahsoka tenses.
"But I'm not you, Ahsoka."
There's a beat of silence, then, "What do you mean?"
It's his turn to sigh.
"I rarely regret killing bad people." He admits, "If I had Dooku unarmed and vulnerable, I would've killed him, but your morals are purer than mine, Snips. You followed your heart and refused to give in to your emotions. That's what I was trying to teach you a few days ago."
He strokes her left shoulder, not knowing if she can feel him. Ahsoka responds across their bond with a pulse of appreciation. She may not feel the texture of his glove, but she can feel appreciate the gesture.
"You did what you had to do in order to avoid falling to the Darkside, Ahsoka." He whispers against her montral, "Dooku couldn't stop himself falling, but you did, so who's stronger?"
"The Light is stronger, Master." She murmurs.
"You're stronger." He emphasises. "You're one of the strongest people I know."
Ahsoka lets Anakin comfort her through their bond for a while longer. She knows the sooner she leaves Onderon, the faster she'll get over her grief, but she's content to sit with her Master in this room of mourning.
She ought to feel empty after losing Lux, and she does feel like a part of her heart has broken, but she's also overwhelmed with relief.
She was moments away from falling from the Light, and she didn't.
"Come on, Anakin." She slides out from under his arm and stands up, purposefully turning her back to the front of the room where Lux lies. "Let's go home."
He takes her hand, "Good idea, Snips."
They go to leave the room, coming face to face with Steela.
Ahsoka meets the woman's eyes, noticing the tear stains on her cheeks, "You get a head start, Master; I'm right behind you."
He pats her on the shoulder before walking towards the landing platform, leaving her and Steela.
The woman's wearing black- the only colour on her body being a gold ring, sitting between her collarbones on a small chain.
Ahsoka smiles, nodding at it, "That belonged to Lux's father."
Steela reaches up to touch it, "I know."
Ahsoka doesn't know much about the piece of jewellery- she only knows what Lux has told her. It was his father's wedding ring, and after he died, his mother carried it. On Carlac, Lux wore it, and now, it appears to be in Steela's possession.
"Lux loved you."
They both say it at the same time, and each girl widens their eyes.
"No, no," Ahsoka raises a hand, shaking off her shock, "He loved you, Steela. He wanted me to tell you."
"When he came to Onderon, he wouldn't stop talking about you." Steela says.
Ahsoka shrugs, "I know I meant something to him, but not like you did. I wish you two could've had a happier ending." She sighs, searching for a change in subject, "What's going to happen to Onderon now?"
Rash has already been arrested and sent to Coruscant for trial. King Dendup is due to be reinstated, but apart from that, nothing else has been revealed.
"King Dendup has put me in charge of the Royal Army." Steela says, smiling a little.
"That's amazing," Ahsoka grins, genuinely happy for her, "You're the best person for the job."
"It's going to be a big change," Steela takes a deep breath, "We don't have a Senator."
They used to.
Ahsoka tries to keep smiling, "I'm sure you'll figure something out, even if there are some big boots to fill." She pauses, "Is Onderon going to join the Republic?"
Steela manages a grin, "After everything you went through to save our shebs, we ought to." Ahsoka chuckles whilst the woman pins her with a serious look. "I owe you my life, Ahsoka, and so does everyone here on Onderon."
Then, to her surprise, she's pulled into a tight embrace.
Ahsoka's shocked speechless as Steela squeezes her ribs, her hair brushing the side of her face as she whispers against her montrals, "Thank you for fighting for our freedom."
Ahsoka's breath is shaky as she hugs Steela back, "Freedom is always worth fighting for, and so is love."
Usually, Anakin laughs Ahsoka through medical appointments. Whether it's post-battle check-ups on the Resolute or vaccinations at the Temple, he always has some jokes up his sleeve to make it less of a chore.
Now though, he doesn't feel like having a laugh. He's silent, standing at the foot of the bed as he watches Master Che examine Ahsoka's arm. From his position, he can see how well the bacta has worked on her shoulder to heal the blaster wound.
He wishes bacta would work on the rest of her arm.
His jaw clenches when Ahsoka doesn't react to the needle which Master Che pricks her fingertips and palm with. The first time she got paralysis, she could still feel in her arm- the movement was just a struggle. Now, she's lost all sensation from her bicep to her fingertips.
Master Che straightens with a sigh, "I don't think the steroid treatment is going to make a difference."
He and Ahsoka both knew that before they got back to Coruscant.
Ahsoka clears her throat, "What's the other option?"
Master Che turns her gaze to Anakin, "We have two choices: electric shock therapy to try to stimulate the nerves, or amputation."
Right from the beginning, Anakin knew Ahsoka might lose her arm, but the word leaving Master Che's mouth makes him want to curl around Ahsoka in a ball and shield her from all of this.
Subconsciously, he touches his own cybernetic arm. Ahsoka notices the subtle movement and sighs, "Master?"
"It's your call." He replies, letting his metal hand fall to his side, "I'll be beside you either way."
Ahsoka's lips flick upwards in a smile as she pulses gratitude across their bond. He responds with a wave of love.
"Padawan," Master Che says softly, catching the girl's gaze, "What do you want to do?"
Anakin thinks it's the first time the Healer has given Ahsoka any choice about her treatment.
"I don't want to do this anymore." Ahsoka touches her paralysed arm tenderly, "I need to get on with my life. We have a war to win, and I don't want to spend any more time off the field."
Master Che nods, understanding. "We can do the procedure this evening."
She shifts to leave, but something stops her, and the Healer hesitantly rests a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder, "You've very brave, young one. Not many Jedi expect to face Dooku and survive."
"Thanks," Ahsoka whispers, and Anakin can hear the crack in her voice.
The Doctor pauses again as she's about to step past Anakin, and her voice goes low, "Ahsoka's lucky to have you as her Master, Skywalker."
The note of approval makes his chest warm up.
"We couldn't have had a better Healer, Master Che." Anakin says, bowing respectfully. She may be blunt and somewhat harsh, but Vokara is the best of the best, and she's truly dedicated herself to helping Ahsoka.
After she leaves, Anakin goes to stand in front of Ahsoka and takes her shoulders, bringing her towards his chest. She wraps her working arm around his waist, squeezing tightly, "Am I making the right choice, Master?"
"Yes," he replies, resting his chin in the valley between her montrals. "You've been through enough, Snips; it's alright to put an end to it."
He hears her shudder into his chest, "I wish this mess didn't happen."
"Me too," he agrees with her, "but if it didn't, we wouldn't be as strong as we are today."
He pulls back and takes her chin in his fingers, "We'll finally be twinning."
She chokes out a laugh, wiping her eyes dry. "At last, I'll be just like my icon." He wipes her tears off her cheeks with his fingers, "Will I be okay... if you ever leave?"
"I think you will be," he assures her, "but I'm not going anywhere, Snips. I promise."
"Ahsoka," they both turn to Obi-Wan who's stood in the entrance to the room, "Welcome back."
"Thanks, Master Kenobi." Ahsoka flashes him a smile. "I'm glad to be home."
"I'm sorry about Lux." Her Grandmaster says, lingering in the doorway without coming closer. "I truly am."
"It's okay," Ahsoka says, her voice watery. Anakin rubs her functioning arm, spreading warmth across their bond. He doesn't want her to feel ashamed about her grief like he was after he lost his mom.
"Before the procedure tonight," Obi-Wan's eyes meet Anakin's, and the Knight can see the flicker of happiness in his former Master's expression, "the Council would like to see you both."
Ahsoka looks at Anakin nervously, "I already gave them my report."
"I know." Anakin tries to keep the smile off his lips, "Let's go and see what they want."
Ahsoka feels butterflies in her stomach as she steps into the Council Chamber behind Anakin and Obi-Wan. She notices that the entire Council is in attendance- physical attendance- and her nerves go into overdrive.
"Master," she hisses at Anakin, "what's this about?"
"Chill, Snips." He smirks over his shoulder at her before turning back to the Council.
"Welcome back, Padawan Tano." Master Yoda greets, and Ahsoka bows quickly before she forgets to. Her anxiety is skyrocketing, and the Force is whispering around her, excitement filling the air from the Council.
She presses on her bond with Anakin, feeling nothing but pride.
"Congratulations for your success on Onderon," Windu says, and she can't believe he's praising her for once. "Without your bravery and determination, those people would still be under the ruthless control of the Separatists."
Obi-Wan clears his throat from where he's sat in his chair, "We heard from Intelligence that Dooku was planning to use Onderon as a central point of Separatist command. He was going to enslave the people and exploit their resources. You've saved a lot more lives than you think you have, Ahsoka."
Her heart thuds in her chest; she couldn't save Lux.
"We were thoroughly impressed by the way you handled the mission in your condition." Master Plo praises, and Ahsoka feels nothing but love pounding across their ancient bond.
"The Council is also aware that you ultimately resisted the Darkside whilst in the presence of a Sith Lord." Master Luminara says, "That alone, Ahsoka, is a feat worth celebrating."
"You've faced so many obstacles over the past few months, young one. All the while, you have held no resentment towards those who have wronged you." Shaak Ti glances around the other Masters, "That is the quality of a Jedi Knight. We have concluded that this must have been your Great Trial."
Her breath hitches in her throat, and Ahsoka shoots Anakin a look. He only smirks, stepping away from the centre of the room so she's left there on her own.
This can't be happening…
Master Yoda stands from his chair, taking the lightsaber from his belt, "Kneel, young one."
Oh Force, this is happening.
She looks back at Anakin, and he nods his head. "It's time to finish your Apprenticeship, Ahsoka. You've proved yourself."
She lowers Skipper beneath her, taking a knee. Her breaths are shaky, and she isn't sure if she should cry, but she feels like it.
Master Yoda comes to stand before her, smiling gently. "A fine Knight you shall be, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka bows her head, "Thank you, Master."
She keeps her head down as the lightsaber is ignited. It hovers near her shoulder; she can feel its heat on her skin.
"By the right of the Council."
It's moved to the other side, just beside her silka bead Padawan braid. She tore it off on Naboo, and now it's going to be cut off by the Grand Master of the Jedi Order in one of the most sacred ceremonies a Jedi can participate in.
"By the will of the Force."
The lightsaber whips upwards, and she hears a hiss as the braid is severed from her headdress.
A mixture of emotions swim through her as the braid tumbles to the floor, a handful of coloured beads spilling across the marble.
"Rise, Ahsoka Tano; Jedi Knight."