Ahsoka Returns – Chapter 4: All Will Become Clear

This installment in the story will be somewhat different, as two characters are brought in and things start to get set up.

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Chapter 4: All Will Become Clear

Ryloth, 4 ABY, 3 months, 12 days, 20 hours

Around a table, Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren were discussing the recent events. The final piece of the puzzle was apparently in place and the planet had finally achieved its liberation – a dream long held by the Twi'lek natives. For almost 30 years, their planet had been kicked around by various outside forces. They'd seen their people – especially the females – kidnapped and impressed into various forms of involuntary servitude, and the sense of being a dominated people ate away at their souls.

When the ISD Mistreater was blasted out of the sky – almost like a fireworks display, as it shattered into an untold number of pieces – there was a sense of victory felt by the people of Ryloth. The news of the Emperor's death had spread quickly around the planet and there grew an anticipation that maybe this was the moment they had long awaited, and seeing the explosions and flares of the pieces of the Mistreater as they burned on reentry somehow crystalized that feeling.

But the four women sitting in the club, a Twi'lek night spot, were already looking ahead. Ahsoka carefully started putting things together.

"Shara … you mentioned being at Endor. Something about Hera saving you – on more than one occasion."

"It's true. Hera is as good of a pilot as there is in the Resistance. Maybe even as good as …"

"Who?" Ahsoka pressed.

"Darth Vader. He was amazing. As skilled as they came. Legendary. And not just among the Imperials."

Ahsoka chuckled. "Oh, he was good all right. I learned quite a bit from him."

Hera then spoke up. "Seriously? Soka … how ..."

The Togruta nodded slowly. "He was my master – Anakin Skywalker. That's how. They say he was great, even at age nine."

"Somehow, I'm not surprised. That guy – I only found out later that it was him – almost single-handedly brought down our whole Phoenix squadron, and was taking aim at our cruiser too."

"What was he flying that day?"

"Some new variation of the TIE interceptor … I hadn't seen it before. I went to tap into Santhé-Sienar's inventory, it wasn't there. He might have had them build him a custom model."

"Well, I'm not surprised. Anakin always did want things his own way."

Shara spoke up at this point. "Did you say … Skywalker?"

Ahsoka nodded. "That's who Darth Vader was. Back when we were together in the Jedi. I knew him better than anyone. Why do you ask, Shara?"

The pilot was silent for a couple of seconds. "Because, there is another Skywalker. Someone I met at Endor. He and I have become friends. His name is Luke Skywalker."

Ahsoka sat up straight. "Somehow … I know that name. But it's a bit of a mystery."

"He told me Vader was his father. I just didn't know his name was Anakin."

Ahsoka's face grew taut, and her lekku changed shades, becoming slightly bluer – which caught Hera's attention. She continued. "So … it's true. Padmé was pregnant …" Ahsoka mused in a low tone.

Hera stared back at her friend. "Who?"

"Senator Amidala. I was close to her during my Padawan days. She and Anakin were in love. They tried to hide it, but I could tell. I think it went deep." She turned to Shara. "What does Luke look like?"

As the Brentaalian pilot described him, Ahsoka stopped her. "He sounds like almost a clone … how amazing is that …"

"What are you saying, Ahsoka?" Hera asked, while Sabine and Shara looked on with keen interest.

"I'm saying … that Luke very likely picked up some of his dad's ability. I need to meet with him." She turned to Shara again. "Where might I find him?"

Shara shook her head. "I haven't seen him since Endor. I think he went off on some strange mission."

Just then, Commander Bey's com device went off silently. She had a message. As she read it, a strange look came over her face. She looked at Ahsoka.

"You're not going to believe this, but …"

Ahsoka responded. "But what?"

"He just contacted me."

"From where?"

"A planet called Pillio … in the Jinata Sector."

"I think I know it. Northern Mid Rim. Not far from Dantooine."

Shara nodded. "That's right. He wants me to meet him."

"Anything more? Where might we find him now … he wouldn't still be on Pillio?"

"Ahsoka? I think I know."

"I need to go with you. I'll prep my ship." She turned to Hera and Sabine. "I will catch up with you later."

Sabine looked a little disappointed, but then added, "I'll be heading to Mandalore, then. Ahsoka … please stay in contact. I want to do whatever I can to help you."

Ahsoka patted her friend on the forearm. "Don't worry, I know that. But I have to do this alone." She turned to Hera, and they embraced quickly. "Congratulations again. I know you and your father have much to do now here on Ryloth."

"Ahsoka – we couldn't have done this without you. Stay safe, my friend."

Unknown Western Reaches, 4 ABY, 3 months, 15 days

Ezra Bridger awoke in a kind of stupor. As he rubbed his eyes, he tried hard to recall what had happened to him. He looked around and noticed he was in some kind of chamber, one with all black walls and surfaces, lit by soft LED pin-dot bulbs. There was a desk, containing a single monitor on its top, presumably connected to a computer system. A serving droid rolled in, offering him a mug of caf, which he gratefully took and started to drink down. As he looked around, Ezra started talking out loud, to no one in particular.

"What am I doing here? She said I had all these lessons to learn – about the Force, about myself, about the Galaxy, and maybe a lot more …"

He continued to wonder about the past four years, time that had gone by in a way that seemed considerably faster. He'd been to new places – other galaxies, far beyond his home – and been shown wondrous events in places with their own history. Ezra Bridger – still young, at 23 standard years – was truly a man of the universe now. As he thought about the implications of that, his mind drifted back …

Unknown Western Reaches, 0 ABY, 0 months, 1 day (flashback)

The ISD Chimaera had been waylaid by a large flock of mysterious space creatures known as the Purrgil and they carried it off into hyperspace as the Battle of Lothal had ended some six months earlier in an Imperial defeat. Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn were aboard the ship battling for control of the bridge when the Purrgil appeared. Though an experienced military commander possessing great knowledge of history and the various regions of the Galaxy, Thrawn – whose full name among his people (the Chiss) was Mitth'raw'nuruodo – had never encountered anything like the Purrgil before. When it became clear that the creatures had the upper hand, Ezra and Thrawn had plenty of time on their hands. Though the Purrgil were able to navigate through hyperspace, they were unable to reach anything like the speeds of even the slowest modern vessels. Moreover, the crew of the Chimaera were unable to do anything to stop the Purrgil from carrying the ship – along with two other Imperial vessels they had also carried off.

Thrawn correctly deduced that somehow Ezra had a relationship with these creatures, so, in a sense they were at young Bridger's disposal. But if Ezra had any idea where they were going, he certainly never let on. As the journey continued, the crew of the ISD became more and more concerned about how long it would take and when it might end, as their supplies of food and water were starting to run low. Along the way, Ezra and Thrawn had reached a level of respect for each other – if for no other reason than the two realized they had to find a way to work together. Thrawn was an expert navigator, and he had deduced that by the fourth month of the journey, they had been able to cross the entire Galaxy from the far eastern Outer Rim (where Lothal was located) across the core and then to the Western Reaches and perhaps into his peoples' home-worlds sector known as the Chiss Ascendancy. But this was where his reckoning became sketchy and imprecise.

Then, one day, seemingly out of the blue, Ezra suddenly found himself somehow lifted off the ISD Chimaera and into a place unlike any other he had ever been to or seen. At the same time, the Purrgil detached themselves from the Imperial vessels – which, because their stores of fuel were still available, were able to complete the voyage. Thrawn directed the fleet to head for Csilla, the capital world of the Chiss Ascendancy.

Now, some four years or so later, Ezra seemed to be awakening from a deep slumber – yet he could recall clearly some of the things he'd done and places he'd been. His lightsabre skill, for example, was sharper than ever, and how might he feel about going toe to toe with Darth Vader again? But most of all, he remembered the strange female figure that had been with him through much of his travels after leaving Thrawn and the known galaxy far behind – how tall and elegant she was, and how her very being almost echoed the energy of a star. She mostly wore white, but at the same time, he could see every color imaginable in her, as her garments often resembled elegant abstract paintings, with careful balances in the shadings and hues. Ezra had interesting talks with Thrawn about art, how the thinking of a people and what they valued could be seen in how they expressed themselves artistically. What would the Chiss mastermind make of this woman – if she was really a woman at all?

He had little time to ponder it. Soon, the figure was before him, and as usual, always smiling, always serene, totally in control. Rarely did the woman ever sit, preferring to remain erect, but this time, she had a different air about her. She spoke first.

"Good day, Mister Ezra Bridger. Have you been awaiting me?'

"Yes … I have." He gazed at her, but this time, her eyes were black and unyielding. "There are so many things I've wanted to ask you. But I was not able to think of them – until now."

The mysterious lady seemed to smile at him, and as she drew closer, she placed a soft hand on his shoulder, which immediately transmitted warmth. Ezra felt a tingle, but her warmth was soothing. She continued to smile.

"Let's talk about them, my young friend. If there was anything you would want to ask me right now, what might it be?"

He started to laugh, but then stopped himself, not wanting to seem impolite. The woman made him want to be respectful, and aside from whatever powers she might have possessed, she was quite beautiful in an austere sort of way. To Ezra, she reminded him of his mother, but he couldn't quite understand why. He gained composure, then asked. "Two things at first. Your name and why did you select me to come with you? I mean, I really don't know how long I've been here."

She continued to smile. "Good things to ask, Ezra. First, I've told you this already, more than once, but my name is Su. This name is a concept, which exists in every culture of sentient beings that I have encountered … and yes, I have encountered many over the long time that I have existed. My name is short but it is all it needs to be. It can mean different things in different languages, but you may think of it as oneness. The embodiment of everything. Now, why you? I will start to explain. For a time, I have watched you and I realize you are quite unique from the galaxy you come from."

"I … I don't understand. Is it because I can sense the Force?"

She chuckled softly, then touched him again, in an even more soothing manner. "Oh, much more than that. Yes, Ezra, I sense your strong connection to the Force, but I have found this in others from your galaxy – and from other galaxies and congalaxiations around the universe. The Force remains the common thread of unity. But you represent more than that. A true Force spirit cannot die, and it can be reborn in different ways. Other sentient creatures are attracted to such an energy. They feel it, they seek it, they want to connect with it. For example, the hyperspace creatures. I have rarely observed such a connection."

Ezra thought about the Purrgil. "Madam Su, I … don't know what it is, but they just seemed to have a connection with me."

"Yes, and because of your connection to them, they saved your planet from great danger. It was the ultimate gift for your people. You see, your name … the meaning of it simply, is help. It is the embodiment of the Force, and of love. Out of such things, we bind together the universe. You are one being but one of profound importance. I watched you stand strong against great evil and the Darkness that lives in everyone – but much stronger in some."

Ezra nodded slowly, then looked – or tried to look – into her eyes. They remained unyielding, and if he tried too long, it caused him some discomfort. But he pressed on.

"Madam, I need to ask, how do you … how are you … able to see all of these things?"

She smiled some more. "Everything that happens, Ezra, is a record in the fabric of the universe. We have merely to find it and replay it. With you, I have done much of that and I have taken you with me – as you are someone whom I want to understand it better. You have now been away from your home … for about … four of your time measurements that you equate to a revolution of a planet around a star. A means of keeping track of the passage of time – but nothing here is ever exact. Would you like to see some of what you have missed?"

Ezra looked at her, wide-eyed. "You could show me?" Seeing her nod gently, he answered. "Yes, I would, very much."

Su then waved her hands in front of him for a second, then pointed both of them toward his left. He turned his head and looked into the dark background of the space he was in as a globular object came into view. It was about one metre in diameter and it came to rest in front of him. Su softly snapped her fingers and the globe turned into a type of holo-projector. The surface of it went black for a second, then, in it, he could clearly see a spherical object, which grew more prominent as it came into view. Closer inspection showed it to be a large base of some kind and Ezra could see spacecraft of various sizes coming and going from it and to it, but then, the view pulled back quite a distance and he then could see the shape and colors of a planet appear. All of a sudden, from the round object, a multi-beamed green laser came together from multiple points. The laser then reached across to literally blow the planet apart, leaving nothing but a field of debris floating in space. Ezra sat, horrified at what he'd seen. He turned to Su.

"Did that actually happen? Did they destroy an entire planet?"

"Indeed they did, Ezra. The ones you referred to as the Galactic Empire."

He started shaking his head in disbelief. "We … we knew they were bad, but this goes far beyond that. How many had to die because of this?"

"Everyone on that planet." Su responded solemnly. "A severe disturbance in the Force … one that could be felt beyond that particular galaxy."

"So, what happened next?"

Su said nothing, but then, another image, that of the Death Star being destroyed in a battle by the efforts of the Rebels came across the screen in the projector. Ezra watched as the giant base was also soon destroyed. Again, he sat wide-mouthed. Su proceeded to show other important events, such as the Battle of Endor and also the confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader, and the seeming death of the emperor.

This last image took Ezra by surprise. "That … was the Emperor, and that guy Vader killed him? But now he's dead too?"

Su nodded. "Indeed, it was a very important moment for your home galaxy."

"So … what happens next?"

"That … my young friend … is partly up to you. Are you ready to return?"

"I think I might be, but I have learned so much from you. Su – could you tell me – did you have anything to do with those events you just showed me?"

"Not directly. These were all manifestations of the Force. The one they called Emperor Palpatine, was a severely powerful wielder of Force energy – but I can tell you there was much he didn't know, and that he realized he wanted to learn."

Ezra thought back. "I … I can remember a strange thing that happened with him. It was not much before the Battle of Lothal. The Emperor tried to trick me. He tried to make me think he could bring me back together with my parents. But I didn't trust him. It never felt right."

Su smiled, and caressed him some more. "That's because you listened to what the Force was telling you. Ezra, you have a gift. Allow me to tell you of another young person that was equally gifted – but this one was also deeply conflicted, and unable to relax and allow the Force to guide him. He would go on to struggle with that for a long time – until he met with Palpatine."

"What happened then?"

"The Dark Side of the Force took over. It filled the vacuum inside him, one that had been created by fear, anger, and hatred. After that, young Anakin had no friends, only enemies. Even the Emperor. You see, even though the Emperor was the one that turned him into Darth Vader, he immediately realized it was a form of enslavement, and he struggled until the end of his sad life – until, at the end, he declared his independence by taking the opportunity to slay his master. It was a most unfortunate sequence of events. I had watched him and realized he held great promise. There was a moment when I took him to a unique portal world in your galaxy – and I showed him the future. But at the same time, I also made it clear that the choice was his alone."

"I see, Madam Su." Then something she said also caught his attention. "Unique portal world? What is that exactly?"

She laughed softly. "Doorways I've constructed, which allow channeling of Force energy – and different ways to see things. Once entering them, those inside have essentially stopped time and can return exactly where they had been before entering. These are methods of providing messages to those which I wish to communicate."

"Is that what you did for me? I mean, this place we are in now, what exactly is it?"

"Not one of those. No, you are on one of my two personal craft – one dark, one light. You have actually been on both of these during your time with me. It's just that your current abilities gave you no means of identifying it as such."

Ezra was certainly intrigued. "Your personal craft … this is a kind of spaceship?"

"Much grander and more encompassing than anything you are familiar with – even that one they dubbed 'death star', which was only a crude attempt to create something of this magnitude. My creations can be fashioned in any number of combinations of terrain, scenery, details – whatever I might desire at any given time."

He considered her words and realized that, if true, she represented a level of technology and ability unmatched by anything he'd ever seen or heard about.

"Su … how large are your … craft? And what powers them?"

"This is more for you to learn at another time, my young friend. But the size you might be familiar with – about the same as a satellite of one of your larger planets."

Ezra started to realize he was only going to get what Su wanted him to have. "You asked if I was ready to return. Where will I be taken?"

"Where would you prefer?"

As she asked him, Ezra started to realize he had no real idea. Sure, he might go to Lothal, but whom did he really know that was still there? And what of the Empire now … was it still raging out of control? If they could blow up an entire world, what else might they be planning. Perhaps staying with Su – and learning so much from her in the process – might be the best course for the time being. But within him, there was a desire to return nevertheless, to see where the Galaxy was after the apparent defeat of the Empire, to see what role he might play in things with his newly gained abilities and understandings.

Su turned back to him, having read his thoughts. "Come."

Ezra felt himself rise, as if he was floating on air, then he and Su flew – standing erect – down various passageways in the structure they appeared to be in, until they came to a large archway. Passing through it, they appeared to now be on the surface of a planet or moon, and it was nighttime, with only the pinpoints of stars and far away galaxies visible in the sky overhead. He felt a new consciousness arising in him, as if he knew where he was and what he must do. Across a small field of indeterminate size and composition, he saw what was clearly a small starship.

"Are you ready, young Bridger?" Her voice seemed to sing in a way. He noticed that her garments were now shimmering in many colors and hues, all at once. As he turned or tilted his head, different shades became visible.

"Yes … I am." He heard himself say.

Su extended an arm toward the ship. "Go now. All will become clear in the days to come."

All at once, he was excited to return home – wherever that was – but at the same time, didn't want to leave her, this steady, maternal presence that seemed to understand everything he was thinking and feeling. He walked over to the ship, and started up the ramp, then turned to look back for a last glance at her. But she was gone.

Yavin IV, 4 ABY, 3 months, 30 days

About 18 days had passed. Ahsoka and Shara traveled to the Alliance fleet, located in orbit around the planet Chandrila, a Core world, and the home of Alliance leader Mon Mothma. After Ahsoka was introduced – with considerable excitement, as she was a near legendary war hero at this point in her life – to the Alliance leaders, they indicated that Luke and many others could be found at the Yavin IV base that was once again being used by the Alliance, as it had been four years prior.

So, after about a week, while Ahsoka had been brought up to speed on the status of the rebellion, and the plans for the New Republic, she and Shara traveled on the Essence II to Yavin Base. Upon arrival, they debarked and entered the massive installation – the ancient temple of the Massassi – for further debriefing. Various items were discussed – about key Imperial targets such as the Kuat Drive Yards (where many of the ISD had been constructed) and the status of Coruscant, which was quickly descending into all-out chaos as there was a struggle for control of the planet.

After the meeting, Shara saw Luke across the room and approached him.

"Hey, Skywalker, how's it going?" She laughed.

"Could be better … could be worse. You?"

"Luke, there's someone I want you to meet."

Shara motioned to Ahsoka, who came over to join them. As Luke watched her approach, he thought for a minute. She's a Togruta. I've seen them, and heard about them, but never really met one. He had little time for further thought, as Ahsoka was now standing before him.

"Luke Skywalker … meet Ahsoka Tano."

Ahsoka smiled, and not sure what to do next, extended her hand, which Luke took in a friendly handshake.

"So, you're Luke Skywalker," she said, softly. "Your father and I were once very close."

"Really? I never knew that …" he mumbled.

Sensing the unease, she replied, "Would you like to learn more?"

To be continued …