The Ghost didn't possess a brig, so Ahsoka had been forced to place her 'guest' into one of the side rooms that was usually reserved for the crew as sleeping quarters.
Stepping through the doorway, Ahsoka allowed her eyes to adjust to the light. It was dark inside. Ahsoka was only just able to make out the outlines of various shapes.
And then a colour appeared before her. Two bright gold orbs flared to life in the centre of the room. A brief chill brushed up against Ahsoka for a minute as her eyes locked onto the gold orbs.
It felt almost as if they were watching her.
Perhaps that was because they were.
"Why?"
That was all he said. The Eighth Brother made no move to stand, made no move to attack.
He just sat there in the darkness, watching her.
Ahsoka shrugged her shoulders before replying.
"Why not?" She replied, watching the Terrelian. He was without his helmet again, removed by Ahsoka when he had been unconscious. In that time she had dressed his wound with bacta, and placed a pair of force restraining cuffs on his wrists that Hera possessed for some reason.
Ahsoka had a sneaky suspicion why she had them, but she wouldn't question.
The Eighth Brother scoffed at her response, fidgeting in his place before flinching slightly, his healthy hand coming to rest on the bandage that covered his stump.
"I tried my best to dress the wound, but I've no real experience with such injuries. At least not fresh ones anyway." Ahsoka spoke, her hand gesturing to the bandage.
"Why?" The Eighth Brother inquired again, his golden eyes locking onto Ahsoka's blue ones.
It was a deep question, Ahsoka realised it. And to be truthful, she didn't really know the answer herself. She had chosen to save him in the heat of the moment. After all, he had saved her.
"I owed you one." She replied, trying her best not to reveal her doubt about her own actions. The Inquisitor had tried to kill them all. He had manipulated them all. She should have killed him, as she did Vader.
But instead, she had let him live.
"Liar. Just like Sidious!" The Inquisitor snarled again, his golden eyes blaring in anger. The Terrelian made to stand, before groaning aloud and sinking back into his seated position.
Moving with purpose, Ahsoka crouched opposite the Terrelian, her eyes never leaving his face.
"You called me out on leaving you behind on Malachor to die before. I said I would have saved you if I had known."
The Eighth Brother rolled his eyes as he heard her comment.
"I remember your comment. But the fact that you didn't is all the proof I need!" He answered back, averting her gaze.
But Ahsoka continued. "I know. That's why I saved you this time. To make amends for what I failed to do before. We don't have to be enemies."
The Terrelian's head snapped back around in an instant, his golden eyes peering at her with malice.
"Don't have to be enemies?! You murdered my siblings! You and Maul! And now you have the audacity to ask me to be your friend?! We have nothing in common Ahsoka Tano!"
Ahsoka had to flinch back from the outburst. The Inquisitor was angry, that much was clear, and no doubt it was only the force supressing hand cuffs that were keeping him from attacking her with the force.
The Togruta watched as the Terrelian sat there, breathing heavily and exerting rage. It poured off of him in vast amounts.
But she pressed forward.
"We are both former Jedi who sought a different path. We both wanted the Emperor dead. And now we are both free from his oppression." Ahsoka replied, keeping her voice calm and steady, trying her best to radiate trust and compassion to someone who for so very long had been driven by the desire for revenge. Perhaps, just perhaps she could get through to him, as she had done to Maul back on Tatooine.
But unlike Maul, it appeared the Eighth Brother was no so willing to listen to reason, as rather than take in her words, he lunged at her.
Ahsoka was forced to her feet in an instant, grasping hold of the Terrelian as he attempted to assault her, before forcing him back onto the floor with a light shove.
The Eighth Brother however tried again, jumping back to his feet and charging Ahsoka with a feral look in his eyes.
And once again, Ahsoka countered, restraining the Inquisitor, and forcing him back onto the floor.
This time he stayed down.
"I don't expect us to be friends. I'm not even asking. All I am offering is another path. One where you can be your own person." Ahsoka spoke, no animosity in her voice, despite his attempts to assault her.
Besides, even if he made it past her, Rex was waiting outside.
The Eighth Brother chuckled this time at Ahsoka's offer, his unmodulated laugh coming across as sarcastic and openly mocking.
"What, and be forced to spend the rest of my days following you around like some sort of lapdog like the Zabrak? Please, I have more self-respect than to become your pet!"
She expected a negative response. Perhaps she had not worded her offer as well as she could have. She wasn't Obi-Wan after all.
But the way the Eighth Brother spoke, the way he degraded Maul was if he was some sort of servant indentured to her irked her. Maul was his own person. He could do as he wished. She was just there to keep him stable, just as he was with her.
'But does he know that? Or is he staying because he feels he has to?'
Ahsoka's mind went into overdrive contemplating the Zabrak.
It wasn't just him. The entire team came along on this mission because she asked, and some of them had not made them back.
Did they accept because they felt they had to?
"Ooh that look in your eyes? What is that? Realization? Guilt? Perhaps now you realize just what you have become." The Eighth Brother's voice hit her montrals again, a dark edge in his tone that ripped straight to her core.
What had she become? That was a good question. In the space of a single year she had been the priority target of the entirety of the empire. Thrawn had been sent to hunt her of all people.
And by becoming such a target, she had placed great risk on all of her friends.
'I became too big!' Ahsoka realized. She had drawn too much attention to herself, both from the empire and the rebellion.
She still had to deal with the outstanding order from Mothma and Draven to assassinate her.
'Or do I?' A voice muttered in her head briefly, one that was her own, but with a more rebellious streak to it.
Her attention was snapped back to the Inquisitor before her. The Terrelian began to chuckle again, before his face took on a serious look.
"So, what happens to me now? Going to airlock me since I won't be your pet?"
That would be a pointless exercise, Ahsoka knew. After going through the trouble to drag him out of the collapsing battle station there was no way she was going to kill him.
"No, I'm not going to kill you. And since you won't accept my offer of help, you leave me with only one option."
The Inquisitor nodded his head, a small yet resigned smile coming to his face.
"Let me guess. Hand me over to your rebel leaders. Let them decide my fate. You realize they will have me executed."
Ahsoka closed her eyes briefly, taking a breath to regain herself. Her back was aching again, and she was feeling weary from the mission. She needed rest, preferably before they got back to Raada.
"If you cooperate, they'll let you live. You are a valuable source of information pertaining to whatever the Emperor has been doing as of late, and I know that you will want to do anything in your power the halt his plans." Ahsoka replied, her mind made up. He was no longer her concern.
And the Inquisitor seemed to accept it.
"Very well. I go to meet my fate then, regardless of what it might be."
And with that, the conversation appeared to be over. Whatever Ahsoka had hoped for when coming into the room seemed trivial now. The Eighth Brother had chosen his path, and he was adamant that he stick to it.
So she would let him. After all, she was not his warden.
Turning her back on the Terrelian Jango Jumper, she began to move towards the door, opening it with a touch on the panel next to the frame. The door slid open, and Rex turned around to greet her.
Just as she passed through the threshold of the doorway, she heard the Eighth Brother speak.
"'He' wouldn't have let me live."
Ahsoka turned in time to lock eyes with the Terrelian one last time, the gold colour being burned into her memory, before the door slid shut.
She stayed staring at the door for a few seconds, contemplating the Eighth Brother, before nodding to Rex and moving off down the corridor of the Ghost.
She was in need of rest. Some sleep would do her good.
Hours had passed by. Far too many for Kaeden Larte to count.
'What if they fail?'
'What if they all die?'
'What if she doesn't come back?'
'What if…?'
Question upon question upon question reigned terror through Kaeden's head. She knew it was selfish, but she couldn't help herself.
When Ahsoka had departed, she had done her best to keep herself distracted. Taking her ship, she had flown across Raada, revisiting old memories.
As well as the final resting place of her and Miara's parents.
Miara had opted not to come along. She grieved differently to Kaeden, and she knew that. The two sisters had an understanding when it came to their parents.
And when Kaeden had felt like she had spent enough time at the graves of her parents, she headed back to wait with the others.
And so they waited, and waited.
And waited for seemed like an eternity.
Even K-2SO was growing restless, powering himself on and off every five minutes asking if the team was back yet.
After the seventh time her had done it, Cassian had shut him down remotely, disabling his ability to power himself back up.
It was now growing close to night. The sun was setting over Raada, giving off a beautiful sunset that Kaeden wished the others could see.
She sat outside the cave, along with Miara and Cassian, hoping.
And then, reward.
"Look, up there! It's the Ghost!" Miara called out, her hands pointing wildly into the sky as the ship began to descend towards them.
Relief should have flowed through Kaeden, and it did in a way. Clearly there was some measure of success to the mission.
But Kaeden knew she couldn't relax until she saw Ahsoka.
Waiting with bated breath, Kaeden watched as the Ghost landed before them, in amongst the other assembled ships the team members had brought along.
The Ghost settled on the plains of Raada, powering down its engines and coming to a stop. From where she was standing, Kaeden could see that the Ghost had taken some external damage from a fight, clear evidence of how dangerous the mission had been.
And then, the back ramp descended, and boots could be heard coming down it.
Or more like running down it.
"Oh solid ground, how I have missed you. Have you missed Hondo as much as he has missed you?"
The Weequay known as Hondo was the first down the ramp, falling to his knees amidst the blades of grass that covered the area, bending down to kiss at the floor with a bizarre grace. Kaeden could tell he was eccentric, but this was going to the extreme.
Next down the ramp were the three Mandalorians, with Sabine being supported by Ezra. Her armour was burned, and she was clearly in pain.
But they were alive. That was what mattered.
Kallus was down the ramp next, leading a group of Wookiees that Kaeden assumed they had rescued over the course of the mission. The former imperial ISB agent moved over to Cassian, shaking hands with the man and beginning to talk in hushed tones about something. Kaeden overheard the word 'Wookiee' in the process, so clearly it had something to do with them.
Hera and Kanan appeared next, followed briefly by Zeb, AP-5, Cham and Chopper, who as expected was beeping profanities about the mission.
It was nice to see that Chopper was still his normal self.
'Where is Ahsoka? Is she ok?' Kaeden's inner voice muttered, her concern growing. She knew it was a very real possibility that Ahsoka wasn't coming back. But surely, just this once, things would go her way.
Then came the clones, but only two of them. Kaeden could only assume that meant the worst.
But right now, her concern was elsewhere.
A figure she did not recognize was being escorted by the clones. He wore cracked grey armour, and possessed bright golden eyes much like Maul did.
In fact, he reminded her of the monster that had attacked and tortured her on Raada all those years ago.
An Inquisitor!
Fear shot through her for a brief moment, before realizing he was wearing cuffs. Hopefully that meant that he was restrained.
More footsteps could be heard coming down the ramp this time.
Shifting her gaze, Kaeden spotted two of the Jedi coming down the ramp, supporting one another as they walked.
It took her a second to realize that the little green one, Yoda, she believed he was called, was not with them.
Another loss no doubt.
Sighing, she looked back at the ramp again to spot Maul walking down the ramp, escorting another unknown individual.
The unknown seemed to be talking about something, but Maul seemed to be ignoring him to the best of his ability. Suddenly, the Zabrak's eyes locked onto Kaeden's, and a rare smile, came to his face, even if he tried his best to conceal it. Maul gestured with his head back to the ramp of the Ghost, clearing indicating something.
Following the gesture, Kaeden couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
There, standing at the bottom of the ramp was Ahsoka. She looked tired and hurt, but alive and in one piece.
Abandoning all pretences of a calm and collected reunion, Kaeden broke out into a sprint towards the Togruta, wrapping her arms around Ahsoka in a tight embrace, squeezing her to make sure she was real, and not a figment of her imagination.
"Ah, careful Kaeden!" Ahsoka hissed out uncomfortably, as Kaeden embraced her. Concern flooded through Kaeden due to Ahsoka's pained gasp, and she began to pull out of the embrace to allow Ahsoka to breathe.
Except the Togruta didn't let her. Ahsoka wrapped her own arms around Kaeden, pulling her gently back into an embrace.
Kaeden didn't complain. She simply enjoyed the moment for what it was.
After a series of reunions later, as well as a period of mourning for the lost, the team had retreated inside the cave network for the night. As they sat down where they all had previously, the story began.
Kaeden, Miara and Cassian, as well as a newly reactivated K-2 listened intently as the various team members reiterated what had happened.
Ezra spoke of his mission through the ventilations ducts, whilst Rex spoke of leading one half of the rebel team.
Hondo came out with a bizarre and harrowing story featuring buzz droids attacking him. During his recounting however, he suddenly became solemn, his gaze momentarily shifting over to Rex and Gregor, as if remembering something with great shame.
Tristan spoke of a duel he had with another Mandalorian, as well as an expected betrayal from the Mandalorian governor.
Hardly anyone spoke of the deaths that had clearly occurred. But their lack of presence was felt.
And clearly Ahsoka was feeling the losses. She had yet to say a word. Instead, she looked despondent and agitated.
But she had yet to leave Kaeden's side. The Togruta had practically stayed glued to her, not that Kaeden minded. Though it did leave cause her some concern.
"So then we split up. Ahsoka went to face the Emperor with Maul, Obi-Wan and Kanan, whilst the rest of us went to destroy the kyber crystal." Sabine retold the next part of the tale, detailing the conflicts they had encountered on the way.
Galen Erso picked up the next part, explaining how he was behind the projects development in the first place. And now he was part of the solution.
And then, when that part of the story was finished, Cassian asked the one question that everyone wanted the answer to.
"So, how exactly did you defeat the Emperor? I don't imagine he was a pushover."
A small snicker could be heard from the shadows where the Inquisitor had been placed. No one paid him any attention, instead, their heads all turned to Ahsoka.
The Togruta didn't realize at first that everyone was staring at her, not until Kaeden gently nudged her in the side, earning another wince of pain and an annoyed look.
Kaeden merely smiled back at her sheepishly, before gesturing with her head to the others.
Ahsoka glanced out over the assembled team before speaking.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"I was asking how you defeated Palpatine." Cassian reiterated, his tone cautious and full of worry.
"I'm quite keen on knowing myself. He had you beat Lady Tano." Maul spoke, confusion in his tone. Clearly the defeat of Sidious had been a surprise even to the Zabrak.
Ahsoka thought back to the duel, to what had happened.
It was true. There was no way she could have beaten Sidious by herself. Even with the help of the others, she had struggled immensely.
And he had beaten her. Another few seconds and she would have been dead to rights.
But then, the force had intervened.
Leaning forward in her seat, Ahsoka began to speak, trying her best to explain what exactly had happened. Truthfully, she didn't fully understand it herself. It was as if all the pieces of a Dejarik game had been in the right place at the right time.
"It wasn't me that beat him, not really anyway. I was just the physical entity for which the force acted. Yoda helped me from beyond the grave, offering his support in my time of need, as did the presence in the Sith holocron. Together, they gave me balance in the force, power enough to withstand Sidious."
Obi-Wan's eyes widen at the mention of Yoda, as if he knew something the others didn't. Ahsoka would have to inquire about it later.
"So what, the two of them together helped you overpower Sidious?" Vos inquired, fascination in his voice.
Ahsoka shook her head gently, reaching down to take what looked like a lightsaber hilt off her belt, before placing it on the ground in front of her.
"No. Those two certainly helped. But it was this that acted as the game changer."
Confused expressions came to everyone's faces.
"Sidious' lightsaber? How did that help you?" Maul questioned, moving closer to inspect the hilt.
Ahsoka shook her head again, before delving into the force, and separating the various components that made up the hilt. As the weapon began to come apart, Ahsoka focused on extracting the crystal within. As she did, the rest of the metal components that made up the hilt fell to the floor, until it was just a small crimson crystal that floated around.
"A kyber crystal?" Sabine inquired, equally confused.
This time Ahsoka nodded her head. "Yes, but this kyber crystal did not belong to Sidious. It belonged to Vader."
Ahsoka spotted the various shudders at the mention of the deceased Sith Lord's name. She no longer had that reaction. She was past that.
"How did that help you?" Kanan inquired, voicing the question of everyone.
Ahsoka glanced at the crystal again, trying to listen to it in the force, hoping beyond hope that she would hear Anakin's voice again.
But there was nothing. The crystal was inert now. It didn't pulse with energy, or radiate any signature in the force.
It was simply dead.
"From what I can piece together, when Vader corrupted the crystal he used to make his lightsaber, he subconsciously placed a piece of Anakin Skywalker into it. During my duel with Sidious, the crystal evidently felt my pain from his attacks, and somehow that awakened the dormant piece of Anakin within the crystal. From that point onwards, the crystal's allegiance was to me, not Sidious. Whatever remnant existed within the crystal offered its power to me, just as Yoda and the Sith holocron were doing. Those factors combined allowed me to overpower him just for a second."
The looks of wonder that went across the faces of her friends would have flattered a younger Ahsoka, when she dreamed of being a hero to the people.
Now however, she wished they wouldn't act like she was some sort of hero.
"So it was Anakin that helped you. I'm not surprised. He was overly protective of you. Makes sense that would translate to Vader as well." Obi-Wan said, his voice nostalgic, remembering his old padawan.
"For a split second yes, Anakin was back. In a way, he finally fulfilled his 'chosen one' prophecy, albeit it in a roundabout way." Ahsoka replied, a small sad smile on her face as she remembered her old master.
A peaceful silence flooded the cave. Each surviving team member contemplated the day they had just experienced.
The truth was that they had scored a major victory, but it was unlikely that the empire would be defeated overnight.
Sidious had clearly possessed some sort of back-up plan, one that would have to be stopped in due haste.
But for now, the team rested, enjoying each other's company for one night.
After all, they had earned it.
Morning came around quickly, but Ahsoka did not mind.
She felt refreshed and ready, if not aching somewhat from her injuries.
Beside her, Kaeden was still asleep, a peaceful look on her face.
It was strange. Ahsoka had never once considered a relationship with anyone. In her mind, she was always too busy to commit.
But now, as she looked down at the sleeping form of Kaeden, Ahsoka couldn't help but feel somewhat at peace.
Perhaps, after all these years, and all the chaos and despair she had endured, maybe, just maybe, she was ready to take a risk and be selfish.
Just once. Surely no one would begrudge her that?
Rising from her position on the floor, Ahsoka noted that the cave was mostly desolate now. The Eighth Brother was still present, clearly asleep from the looks of him. Ahsoka wasn't sure what was going to happen next to him, only that Hera and the others intended on taking him to rebel command on Yavin Four.
Yavin Four. That was another outstanding issue she had. Rebel high command had tried to assassinate her, just as the Jedi Order and the Republic once had. They had betrayed her trust after everything she had done for them.
But sooner or later, she would have to face them. The question was when?
And on what terms?
Shaking the issue out of her mind for the meantime, Ahsoka began to leave the cave, stepping out into the sunlight that bathed the plains of Raada.
There, she saw her team, hard at work doing various jobs.
The crew of the Ghost, along with Rex, Gregor and Kallus were hard at work repairing the Ghost's external damage. The ship had taken a serious beating during the mission, but she was still operational, and Ahsoka knew that she would be back in action soon.
Ezra, who was hard at work running maintenance on the rooftop cannon, spotted Ahsoka and waved down at her, his trademark smirk on his face.
Ahsoka couldn't help but wave back up at the young man. He had come far in the short amount of time her had been with Kanan, and seen far too much for someone his age.
Much like she had.
Continuing to glance around, Ahsoka spotted the Wookiees talking amongst themselves. From the distance she was standing, Ahsoka couldn't figure out exactly what they were saying. Custos however did spot her, and nodded in the Togruta's direction before turning back to her surviving pack members.
Ahsoka was glad that they had been saved. No one deserved to be made a slave by the empire, especially not to build a doomsday weapon.
And then the relative silence of the morning was destroyed by the voice of Hondo Ohnaka.
"Well my friends it has been fun. Let me know when you need Hondo's help for another suicide mission. We all know that Hondo is vital to saving the day!"
Despite everything the pirate had done, Ahsoka couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the Weequay pirate shouldering a massive bag on his arm, one that was clearly overflowing with food, and other 'acquired goods'.
"Will do Hondo!" Ezra called from on-top the Ghost, before returning to his duty.
Hondo then turned to approach Ahsoka, holding his hand out to her in the process.
"I realize I wronged you in the past, and I know that I can never fully gain your forgiveness. But I just want to say thank you for this opportunity, and that I will remember those that we lost."
Ahsoka never expected such sincerity from Hondo of all people. Perhaps he was changing.
Reaching out to clasp his hand in hers, Ahsoka reciprocated the gesture from Hondo.
"Don't worry about it Hondo. You proved yourself today. I'm starting to wonder if you really are an uncaring pirate." Ahsoka replied with humour, one that caused the Weequay to adopt an offended expression, before regaining a friendly one.
"Careful now Ahsoka. I have a reputation to consider."
And with that, Hondo turned on his heel and began to make his way back to his ship.
Ahsoka doubted that would be the last she would see of him. No doubt he would be back someday, causing more trouble for everyone involved.
Shaking her head in good humour and anticipation of Hondo's next big adventure, Ahsoka turned around and went in search of Obi-Wan and Vos. She had a matter she wished to discuss with them.
Ahsoka found them not far away, Vos inside of his Starfighter, playing around with various elements of the control panels, whilst Obi-Wan leaned over the side of the cockpit, listening intently to what sounded like a lesson from Vos in the art of customizing your fighter.
Ahsoka approached slowly, not wanting to disturb them if they were busy.
That was until Vos looked up and caught sight of her, a rogue smile coming to his face.
"Here she is, the hero of the hour and slayer of two Sith Lords. She's half you age Kenobi and she is already more notorious than you!"
Obi-Wan glanced over in her direction, his blue eyes filled with both concern, and annoyance at Vos' antics.
"I'm no hero Vos. I'm just doing what everyone would have." Ahsoka replied, stepping up to look over what the two Jedi were up to.
Vos' smile didn't vanish, despite Ahsoka's response. Instead, he returned to his work, flicking switches up and down and checking various readings to ensure his fighter was ready.
Then Obi-Wan spoke.
"I know why you're here Ahsoka. You want to know what I'm going to do about 'them?'"
The 'them' that Obi-Wan referred to was exactly what Ahsoka wanted to talk about. Without Vader and Sidious around, they were considerably safer, as were all others like them.
But the empire still poses a threat, and if left unchecked and untrained, who knew what might happen to them.
"Just do me a favour Obi-Wan. Tell them both the full truth about what happened. No more lies for the sake of personal opinion. And if you do intend on creating some sort of New Jedi Order, learn from the mistakes of the past. No taking children away from their family for good. Attachment is not a bad thing. Kanan and Hera are perfect examples of that."
Obi-Wan's face was a mix of conflict, and understanding. Conflict that went against the ideals he had been taught when he was a child, and understanding of where it had all gone wrong. Obi-Wan first-hand had seen the faults of the Jedi Order, and had seen what had happened because of it.
However, before he got a chance to reply, Vos perked up from his fighter.
"No problem kid. No stealing babies."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at Vos' evident sarcastic and flippant response, before a small smile came to his face as he looked at his grandpadawan.
"You have grown far wiser than I have Ahsoka. I'm proud of you. Anakin and Padme would have been too. But this isn't something I can do alone. A New Jedi Order will need council members. You are more than qualified."
Ahsoka had anticipated this question. To be asked back into the Jedi Order in some way.
Part of her wanted to. The young naïve child she had been once had dreamed of becoming a respected council member. To lead and offer advice and wisdom to the many. To make her mark on the Jedi, and leave behind a legacy of someone who had helped.
But the truth was that she had spent far more time as a not-Jedi, rather than being one. And in doing so she had discovered that she was not one to follow rules or regulation. She would never willingly hurt or maim someone, but for her to be able to do good in the way she wanted, she couldn't be held down by rules that dictated her life, as the Jedi Order had preached.
And whilst Obi-Wan and Vos would no doubt change most of the issues she had with the code, the sting of betrayal would forever be in her heart. Ahsoka found that in good conscious, she could never go back to being a Jedi.
She was better how she was. In fact, she preferred it.
In a way, she was grateful to Anakin Skywalker for helping her to forge her own path through life with his unorthodox teaching methods. They had, after all, allowed her to survive.
So no, she wouldn't be returning to help rebuild the Jedi Order, much less take up a council position on it.
But she did have someone else in mind who was more than qualified.
"Sorry Obi-Wan, but my decision to leave is still my decision. I can't ever be a Jedi again, nor be on your council, no matter how much I wish I could be. I'll always be a friend to the Jedi, and be ready to help you should the need arise, but I'm not coming back. However, if I may, there is someone else who I think will be of great help to you. Kanan had more than proved himself in recent years, and he will be able to offer you a unique point of view that I lack. He would be far more help to your cause than I ever could be."
It was clear that bot Obi-Wan and Vos were upset with her decision not to join, judging from their despondent facial expressions. Ahsoka could only hope that in time they would accept her position.
"I understand Ahsoka. We treated you unfairly back then, and you have more than earned your freedom. We'll talk to Kanan. Hopefully he will lend us his support. As for the secret we have been keeping, I'll speak to them myself and give them a choice of their own." Obi-Wan replied after a few seconds of silence as he contemplated Ahsoka's decision.
Smiling at the older man, Ahsoka moved to embrace him one last time, before moving off towards the Ghost.
A few moments later, she found herself inside the Ghost. She watched as the small family interacted with one another. Kanan and Hera sat together on the seating area around the Dejarik table, whilst Ezra stood in the centre, describing his duel with the Imperial Royal Guards.
Chopper and AP-5 stood off to the side, insulting one another as they tended to do.
Zeb and Sabine were also present. The resident Lasat was busy at another table, enjoying a meal he had clearly made for himself. If Ahsoka wasn't a carnivore, she would have quite happily sat down and enjoyed what looked to be waffles of some kind with the Lasat.
When the crew noticed Ahsoka's arrival, the discussion stopped, as if expecting orders of some-kind.
Instead, Ahsoka chose to take a seat next to Sabine, and gestured for Ezra to continue his tale.
A few more minutes later, and an incredibly over the top explanation, and the story was over. Zeb had disappeared to his quarters, no doubt for some rest, whilst Sabine and Ezra went back to their duties, despite the injuries the Mandalorian had sustained.
Chopper and AP-5 remained where they were, insulting one another back and forth, but otherwise mostly ignored.
So that just left Ahsoka with Hera and Kanan.
"So, what's next on our list of crazy things to do? Suicide mission to the galactic core? Travel to the unknown regions of space?" Kanan joked aloud, earning a small chuckle from Hera.
"Ah, I get the feeling you are going to be plenty busy soon Kanan." Ahsoka replied, a devious smirk on her face.
"What? Why? What have you done Ahsoka?" Kanan's response was a mixture of panic and surprise, clearly feeling Ahsoka's mischievousness through the force. She chose not to reply, instead shooting a smirk at Kanan, despite the fact he was not able to see it.
Then Hera spoke, her tone serious.
"You're not coming back with us are you?"
It was a loaded question, but one with a simple answer.
"I can't see how I can. Rebel command put out an assassination contract on me. They wanted to arrest all of you. If I go back, I put everyone around me in danger. For now, it's probably best I lay low. Besides, you are more than capable of looking after everything without me Hera." Ahsoka answered, her tone grim but compassionate.
Hera seemed to understand, as the Twi-lek nodded her head before rising to her feet and approaching the Togruta, pulling the older woman into a surprise hug.
"Don't worry about it Ahsoka. You may as well be family to us. We'll see you when you decide to come back."
Ahsoka was surprised at the statement. She had never considered herself as part of the family of the crew of the Ghost. She was an outsider after all, one who came along and often brought doom upon the team. Even Rex seemed to be closer to the crew than she.
But from the words of Hera, and the expression on Kanan's face, Ahsoka for once in her life felt welcome, as if she would have people she could trust for the rest of her life, even if she did drag them into impossible situations time and again.
Pulling out of the embrace, she turned and bowed to Kanan in a way Jedi of the republic would of. A brief look of surprise crossed Kanan's face before he mirrored her bow.
And with that, she turned and left the Ghost.
On her way out, she briefly passed by Rex. She had already told him in private about what she was going to do next, and he had respected her decision, stating that he would always be there for her if she called.
Ahsoka was glad to have Rex by her side, and she knew she could trust him to look after the others in her absence.
Glancing around the plains of Raada, Ahsoka spotted another person she needed to speak to. Sitting by himself in an opening was Maul. From the distance she stood, he appeared to simply be admiring the view.
But as she got closer, she realized what he was doing.
In his hands was the Sith holocron.
He made no move to open it. Instead he stared at it, his golden eyes almost burning a hole right through the artefact.
Ahsoka moved a quietly as she could, careful not to disturb him. Gently lowering herself to the ground next to him, Ahsoka spoke.
"Credit for your thoughts?"
Maul didn't move. He didn't turn to look at her. He didn't fiddle with the holocron.
He merely sat there, staring at it.
"I'm tempted to open it. To learn the secrets of the Sith of old, and to use them against my enemies, just as I was tempted to take Sidious' offer back on the battle station."
Ahsoka understood. For a very brief moment, Maul could have turned against her. He could have completely betrayed her trust for a false empty promise of power.
"But you didn't. You knew he was lying, and you refused. You are better than him because of it."
Maul moved this time, gently nodding his head whilst moving the holocron around in his hands.
"Tell me though Ahsoka. What do we do now? Sidious is dead. His battle station destroyed. What purpose do I have?"
It was rare for Maul to call her by her first name. He seemed to have adopted 'Lady Tano' as his designation for her, not that she minded. It was long passed being an insult to her.
The truth was that Ahsoka knew how Maul was feeling. Everything he had worked so hard to do was done now. His vendetta against Sidious was over. He had no reason to kill Obi-Wan anymore. Ahsoka had felt much the same after she had left the Jedi Order, and again when Order 66 had come around.
"You have to go and find your next purpose, whatever it might be. It will be hard, and you will find yourself struggling at times. But there is something out there for you to do. Besides evil of course."
Maul chuckled at her response. "Of course. Wouldn't want you coming after me now would I?
Ahsoka allowed herself to laugh at the Zabrak's rare humour. When he wanted to, Maul could be quite the character.
The two unlikely friends sat in silence for a few moments, before Maul scooped the holocron up in his hands and passed it over to Ahsoka.
"Take it. Get rid of it. Destroy it. I don't really care. Just get that damn thing out of my sight."
Ahsoka complied, taking the Sith holocron off of Maul and placing it in a pouch on her waist. She had an idea of what to do with it.
Silence filled the space between them again before Ahsoka spoke.
"Thank you for standing by me Maul. You didn't have to, but you did. I won't forget that."
Maul turned his eyes to Ahsoka's. "You are my sister through the force. I will come to your aid when you need it."
Ahsoka nodded her head before replying. "As would I yours brother."
Maul had departed shortly afterwards, taking his ship and heading back to Dathomir, simply stating that he wanted to 'find himself' for a while, and no one had stopped him.
Practically everyone else had left too. The Ghost had left for Yavin, Galen Erso and the Wookies on board to explain what had happened. The clones and Cham Syndulla had gone with, as had Obi-Wan and Vos, and Miara Larte.
Kallus and Cassian had also departed with K-2SO aboard the Ghost, taking the reins of the Fulcrum network whilst Ahsoka was away, their captured Inquisitor in tow.
Ezra had left with the Mandalorians. Something about Sabine and Tristan's father had come up, and Ezra had left to help them.
So that just left Ahsoka with Kaeden, who had chosen to remain with Ahsoka for now.
The two sat on the fields of Raada, enjoying the encroaching sunset.
In her hands, Ahsoka now played with the Sith holocron as Maul had been doing. She would be lying if she said she wasn't tempted to open it once again. To have one last look at the information contained within it.
She nearly did as well. Reaching into the force, she began to picture the holocron opening.
And then Kaeden's voice interrupted her.
"What are you going to do with that thing?"
Ahsoka snapped back out of the force. She didn't want Kaeden to see her delve that deep into the darkside, lest she not be able to control herself.
Ahsoka turned her head to lock eyes with Kaeden. The dark-skinned human woman offered only compassion and love back, not judging her or arguing with her. Whatever Ahsoka decided, it was clear that Kaeden would support her.
"Destroying it is not an option. It would make the entire trip to Malachor pointless otherwise. And you never know when we might need to information on it again." Ahsoka answered, her tone quiet.
Kaeden hummed under her breath.
"I'm going to hide it where no one can ever find it, save for myself. Best way to keep it falling into the hands of someone like Sidious again." Ahsoka continued, gripping the artefact tightly in her hands, picturing the location she intended on leaving it at in her mind.
"Well then, where do we need to go?" Kaeden inquired, gesturing towards her ship.
A short flight through hyperspace later, and Ahsoka and Kaeden found themselves on the planet they needed to be on.
Ahsoka had asked Kaeden to remain on the ship whilst Ahsoka dealt with disposing the holocron. It would help keep Kaeden safe in the long run.
And so, as the sun rose over Atollon, Ahsoka began her trek into the wilderness, in search of a very familiar entity.
Over an hour of walking later, she found herself approaching a familiar sunken area of terrain, one that housed many networked tunnels for the Krykna spiders that live on the planet.
As Ahsoka descended down into the open area, she spotted a set of what looked like rocks clustered together.
Except that she knew they weren't rocks. They were what she had come in search of.
The rocks began to shift in that instant, rising out of the ground with an echo.
And then before her he stood, towering above her both in height and in the force.
"I wondered if you would return former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano. It is good to see you well. I sense there has been a great shift in the force recently. You're doing no doubt?" The voice of the Bendu boomed as loud as it always had, emanating a strong tone of wisdom and advice, as well as compassion and willingness to listen.
"You would assume correctly Bendu. The Sith Master has been killed. Hopefully the force will begin to balance out once again." Ahsoka replied, gazing up at the monolithic figure before her. She had met him before, but he was still a mystery to her, one that filled her with wonder and awe.
"Balance is good. There must always be light and dark my friend, and I sense both in you. Have you learned to control your darkness yet?" The Bendu boomed, his voice taking on a questioning tone.
"Yes Bendu, I have. I walk in the shadows to serve the light, as I have always done. I know who I am now. Neither Jedi, nor Sith, but something else, something new, something…"
"Unique" The Bendu answered for her, a wide smile coming to his face as he spoke. "You have achieved balance then, but you still have a long way to go. But I sense this is not why you have sought me out this day."
Ahsoka shook her head in response, reaching down to the pouch on her belt and extracting the Sith holocron from it, holding it up in front of her.
The Bendu clearly recognized the artefact, his eyes glossing over the pyramid shaped object briefly before returning to Ahsoka's face.
"The holocron you acquired on your trip to Malachor? What would you have me do with it?" The Bendu inquired, his booming voice surprised.
"I want you to take it and to hide it, keep it out of reach of anyone. That way I'm not tempted by it any longer, and I know you will not use it for evil." Ahsoka replied, gesturing for the Bendu to take the holocron.
The giant force sensitive beast contemplated the holocron for a moment, before outstretching one of his large hands and summoning the holocron towards him, the holocron opening slightly as he did.
Through the force, Ahsoka could feel the darkside emanating from the holocron, the presence inside of it calling out to her.
"Are you certain Ahsoka Tano? I can sense your desire for it." The Bendu spoke, his voice as wise as ever, not judging her for being tempted at all.
Ahsoka closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath and centring herself in the force. She didn't need the holocron. She didn't want the holocron.
Opening her eyes and pulling back out of her brief meditation, Ahsoka looked up at the eyes of the Bendu and spoke, determination in her voice.
"I don't need it anymore. It has taught me all it can. I want you to hide it."
A small smile came to the Bendu's face as he sensed the sincerity in Ahsoka's tone, before his large hand closed on the holocron, pulling it out of sight.
"Then I will ensure that it is never found again."
Ahsoka nodded, grateful for the Bendu's help. People may one day try to find the holocron and the secrets contained within it.
But now, they never would. It would be hidden and kept safe from the galaxy. The knowledge on it was too dangerous, and far too tempting. It had nearly cost Ahsoka her own sanity after all.
And with that, Ahsoka had completed what she had come to Atollon to do. Now she fully intended on taking her leave.
That was until the Bendu called out to her again.
"Tell me now Ahsoka Tano, former Jedi Knight. What will you do with yourself?"
It was a heavy question, and one she had struggled with on the trip from Raada.
She could go on how she did, fighting for the rebellion and helping out her friends against the empire.
But after everything she had done, all the disasters she had faced, some part of her craved a break from all the death and chaos she had experienced since she was fourteen.
She had no intention of retiring of course, not yet at least. But for now, she wanted a break.
Naturally, Kaeden had agreed with her, and offered to come along on her new journey, and truthfully, Ahsoka was more than happy to let her and to see what could be with the two of them.
"Ever since I became a Padawan I have been fighting. Fighting for an army. Fighting for some politicians. Fighting for those that could not. And in doing so, I became too well known. I drew attention to myself and my friends. Some of them paid the price for that. It's time for me to return to the shadows for a while. That is where I operate best after all. As a shadow."
The Bendu chuckled lightly at her words.
"So you would run for now, only to return later when you are needed? You truly are beginning to achieve balance. I am almost concerned that you intend on stealing my place as a true neutral being."
Ahsoka smiled at the giant beast before her, allowing her humour to be felt through the force.
"Not run no. Merely find a new path for now. One where I can just be Ahsoka for a while, and not have to worry about anything else."
And with that, she turned her back to the Bendu, and began walking in the direction of Kaeden's ship.
As she climbed the small incline out of the area where the Bendu rested, the mythical creature spoke again, his booming voice echoing across the landscape.
"A new path is always good to seek Ahsoka Tano, former Jedi Knight. I wish you the best. However, I predict that you will only last a week."
Ahsoka turned back around, her eyes locking onto the Bendu in confusion. What had he meant?
She decided to inquire. Was it a threat of some kind? An ominous warning?
Instead of reply that it was such, the Bendu boomed in laughter again before speaking.
"No my friend. I merely mean your rest will not last long. Your spirit craves adventure. It is in your blood. Sooner or later, you will seek out your next adventure, or it will find you."
Ahsoka would be lying if she denied what the Bendu was saying. Ever since she had been a child she had longed for an adventurous life. And she sure as well had had one so far.
And there was still much more of her life to live as far as she was concerned.
But as she thought back over the adventures she had, she began to understand.
There were many different types of adventure. Some where a person sought treasure. Others where they went on a quest to defeat a bad guy and save the day.
Ahsoka had had them all. All except for one.
Her gaze shifted back over the vast empty plains of Atollon, in the direction of Kaeden's ship. She was there, waiting for Ahsoka, ready to begin a new adventure with her.
Perhaps that was what her next big adventure was. One with Kaeden. A new adventure for her to have, and new things to discover.
Breathing in the fresh air of Atollon, Ahsoka nodded back at the Bendu, who bowed his head in respect, before returning to his slumber.
And with that, Ahsoka turned and began her long trek back to the ship.
To where her new adventure was waiting for her.
And honestly, she couldn't wait for it.
After all of her trials, all of her struggles, Ahsoka finally felt at peace. She knew who she was now.
She had had many names in her short life.
Commander. Ashla. Fulcrum. Padawan.
But now she would get to be Ahsoka.
And that thought alone was more than enough to keep her balanced for the years to come.
Author's thoughts
First things first, remember this is a double upload, so check the next chapter for the post epilogue scene. Just thought I should remind you all. :)
Anyways, there we have it. Done. Finished. Complete. Mission accomplished.
How the flying hell did I do this? I said at the start that this story would be a marathon. I think we can mark that prediction down as accurate.
The ending was always going to be a challenge to write. In the space of one chapter I had to round up as many plotlines as I could.
However, when writing it I fell back on the one thing I had always said about this AU. It was Ahsoka's story, thus the entire epilogue is from her POV, and we only really resolve her story, as was the goal. Every other character was second to her in this AU, and thus I didn't really need to conclude their arcs there. That is what the one shots are for. So, any outstanding plotlines that exist will most likely be covered, so don't worry. But for now, I wanted to focus solely on Ahsoka's story arc coming to an end. Now that is not to say that she won't apper in the one shots. She will, just considerably less as a main character. :)
In regards to the one shots, I am now willing to reveal a few more teases of what will be seen. These include:
1. Sabine and Ezra rescuing Sabine's father
2. A Kanera and Kaesoka double date
3. Accelerated ageing in clones
4. Thrawn and Rukh
5. A James Bond spoof staring Alexsandr Kallus as the main character. (Includes #HotKallus jokes)
Let me know what you think you the ideas, and feel free to suggest some yourselves, or even have a go at writing them yourselves if you want. I have a notebook page of about 30 ideas at the moment, so plently to work from. :)
I do hope you all like how I ended this story though, and I hope you like the post epilogue scene was well.
Thank you to everyone who supported me through this story, whether you chose to comment or not. I'm sure there are some people who have been reading behind the scenes.
So I honestly don't really have much more to say. I will save most of my analysis of the story for the retropsective chapter which will be coming in about a week. That gives everyone who wants to read and reivew the epilogue a chance to. You don't have to read the retrospective. I am mainly doing it for myself to clear my head. If you want to, then I welcome you. As for any comments that this chapter or the next one get, I will also respond to them in the retrospective chapter.
Once again, thank you for reading, even if this is the first chapter of my story you have read. :)
As normal, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
jamese765: I was going to put Talzin in originally, but then I thought that he was closer to his brother than her, even if she was his mother. Plus, as you said, it was Grievous that got Talzin, not Sidious.
gammaxmen80: Thrawn will definately be showing up in the one shots a fair amount. As for the Skywalker twins... I am way ahead of you. :)
FossilQueen1984: You have been with me from the start, and I want to say thank you. The fact that I have been able to write a stroy that has kept people around is great, and I am glad to have you as a loyal reader. Now that my stories are mostly done I can start reading other people's again.
Thrawn was always going to survive. As if anything could kill him. :)
Chiara Polairix Edelstein: Thank you for your support throughout this journey. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Hope you like this one. :)
Jxjxjx: Thrawn's arc in this story is done, however he will reappear in the one shot series, so no worries there. Glad you were satisfied by the deaths of Palpy and Tarkin.
Travis Middleton: I'm really glad you enjoyed this chapter. It was great fun having Maul get his revenge on Sidious in the way he did. And poor Tarkin, if he was just a bit nicer to people they might want to help him.
Thrawn is certainly off to the unknown regions for a bit. He will need to prepare for Operation Cinder somewhere.
The empire is still a threat at this point, sort of how they were post ROTJ. Let's see what Rax and Versio do with it.
And from this chapter you will hopefully understand why Ahsoka is not going back to rebel command yet. The mission was not authorized after all, so I doubt they will get medals unfortunately. A court martial however...
SLE's fave guest: One draft of the story had the Eighth Bro conscious when Ahsoka went to save him, and he refused to come along. His fate would have been left ambigious after that. I decided to change it so I could have the scene between them in this chapter.
There were certainly less deaths than expected. I decided not to go with a complete bloodbath. As for who the two that were safe in every draft of the story. It was Thrawn and Ahsoka. For reasons which will be explaned in the retrospective chapter.
Tarkin got what he deserved, and it was satisfying to write.
Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Maliwan: Looking back, having Maul call Savage by his fall name was probably a mistake. Oh well, can't change it now.
Glad you liked Tarkin's fate. It was a fun one to write with so many options. But he was never going to survive. Who'd want that?
Maul helping Ahsoka with her wounds was a lot of fun to write, cause he is generally not a very nice person, and he had no sense of modesty himself.
Mogor: VICTORY indeed. Team rebel wins, but not without losses. Pretty much all of your questions will be answered in the one shots, so no worries there. Hope you like the epilogue chapters. :)
TerminatorJedi1995: No worries about not commenting. Easy to forget or miss a chapter. :)
I'm glad you liked the presence of Anakin in Vader's kyber crystal. It was a unique idea I thought, and one that I hoped was well recieved.
I'm glad you liked Maul's revenge. It was so fun to write. I almost felt sorry for Palpy. Almost.
I think Tarkin dying in any way is satisfying, it was just a case of making it as painful as possible for him. Crushed by metal beam is a bad way to go I think.
So variations of act 2 had many more deaths. I chose to go with only four so that I had plently of characters left alive for the one shots, plus I didn't wangt to pull a "Rogue One".
I hope you like both epilogue chapters. It was good to finally conclude the story in a way I liked.
Mysterious guest one: Thanks, I'm glad you liked Maul's revenge. Both Palpy and Tarkin deserved their fates.
Mysterious guest two: I'm glad you enjoy the story. Don't worry about bothering me, it's no trouble. For this story I chose for Ahsoka and the Eighth Bro to be enemies. But in the future, you never know what I might write. I'm certainly not opposed to the more unorthodox pairings that exist. :)
Mysterious Guest three: I have considered doing another post Malachor story at some point, but for now I kinda want to leave it alone as this whole AU came from an alternate reality of "Twilight of the Apprentice" in the first place.