Puissant

A Star Wars the Clone Wars Story

Ahsoka was getting antsy. Scratch that, she was antsy. Her feet bounced up and down as she waited by the cargo doors that would eventually open and signify her arrival at Coruscant. She'd only been stuck on the Resolute a day, but it was the most boring of her entire life. Kix and Coric had her on lockdown. They didn't let her annoy Yularen on the bridge. Or question Krell or join the boys in the mess hall. They didn't even let her go to her quarters. The only thing she was allowed to do was stay in the med bay and take it easy.

She was Skywalker's padawan for force sake. She didn't know the meaning of take it easy. Therefore she had to resort to moving the clone's medical supplies around for entertainment. Of course, she'd told Coric the truth when he'd questioned her about it. Ahsoka didn't actually touch anything.

"Come on guys! It's not like my legs are injured. I'm fine!" She'd tried to tell them about 17 hours into her 32 hour imprisonment.

"With all due respect Commander. You're not fine and are going to need a lot of rest when we dock in Coruscant." Coric had tried, but it would be to no avail. They even threatened to wheel her out in a stretcher when they arrived. Ahsoka had frowned at that, but figured it would be funny to fake like she died just to prank her master.

"We could just sedate her." Kix smiled giving the Togruta a joking wink. Ahsoka had frowned at that too. She'd also thrown her hands up in defeat and a gave a regretful "Fine!"

It wasn't all bad though. She did receive many visitors from the clone troopers of the 501st and the 212th or... what was left of them. Rex hadn't been lying. Not that Ahsoka wasn't appreciative, but she didn't really understand why. Her being injured had never warranted such visits before.

Though she also had to admit that she was tired. Very tired. And she was in pain. Her palms throbbed constantly, her head pounded, her throat was rough and coarse, and she felt like she could sleep for a month, but that didn't level her anticipation of landing on Coruscant in the slightest. Plus, she'd figured she'd be sent to the healers as soon as she landed.

She pretty much had her own assigned room there.

"Ahsoka," Her comlink clicked and Rex came through, "We've entered Coruscant atmosphere and are preparing for landing. Cody and I are on our way to you. You ready Commander?"

Ahsoka rolled her eyes again. Of course she was ready. Though she was nervous to meet with the council. Part of her wondered if they'd be angry with her or not, "Of course I'm ready Rex! It's not like the entire GAR will be there."

An all too familiar presence in the force, glued her to where she stood. Ahsoka hated how her heart began to beat fast and she felt an inkling of fear creep in. It struck her very soul as memories of darkened skies and last cries of soldiers echoed through her ears. Swinging around the padawan watched as the doors slid open revealing six armed troopers and and entirely serious Obi-Wan whose grip was latched onto a cuffed General Krell.

The togruta hadn't been able to speak to him though she wanted to. She'd only heard secondhand from the troopers that the besalisk had said exactly nothing. It bothered Ahsoka. She wanted to know why he lead in such a way that put everyone in danger. Why he ordered the clones against one another and why he let so many lives be taken.

General Kenobi kept a wary watch on Ahsoka as he led the traitorous general by her. Her bandaged hands were folded across her chest as she stared him down. Obi-Wan could tell she was trying to be strong, defiant to show the general she had not been beaten, but he could sense her uneasiness through the force. Not that he could blame her as the youngling had been through a great ordeal.

Within in moments the togruta padawan bounded in front of them, stopping them effectively. "Ahsoka," Kenobi started, but she held up a hand ignoring him. Kenobi huffed, she was becoming just like her master.

"Why? Why did you do it? Why kill your own men? Those you promised to lead?" Ahsoka asked in a way that was getting an answer. The two, master and padawan stared at each other for a long while as if waiting for one to back down. The commander's gaze only seemed to break for a moment as Rex and Cody stepped into the room. "This is your one chance to have a greater audience outside of the jedi council and outside of your cramped prison cell where you'll stay for the rest of your life. Why did you do it?"

The Atmosphere was tense. Nobody moved and nobody spoke. Even the droids wandering about the frigate quieted down as if they recognized the severity of the situation. Krell growled, his eyes wild and fired up, but a hint of pride and pure glee swelled through him, "Because I can. Because you fell for it. Because you and the clones, creatures bred in some laboratory are inferior. "

Ahsoka growled, "But you're a jedi. You swore to protect your men and those who can't protect themselves."

"A jedi," He laughed deeply, "I'm no longer blind enough to serve as a jedi. A new power is rising. I have foreseen it! You and your precious jedi are going to lose this war, Child! The Republic is going to crumble from the inside and a new order will reign and I will rule as part of it." He stood, his back straight, his eyes shining with triumph as though he could picture it happening.

"You're in league the Separatists," Obi-Wan Kenobi chimed in, "You're a traitor."

"I expected more from you Master Kenobi. I am on no side. I only serve myself. Though as I'm sure my actions have spread and once I've freed myself from your petty prisons. My new master will accept me as his apprentice."

"Dooku," Kenobi started with a deepened tone, "What makes you think he'd accept you? Especially now that you've been taken down by a few clones with stun guns and a padawan." Krell lowered his head with a snarl, repeating that it was only a setback. He'd redeem himself.

"General Kenobi, Sir! We've docked at Coruscant and the transport is prepared for the prisoner. Opening hangar doors now." The pilot breathed through the comms.

"Guess you're just gonna have to face it," Ahsoka nodded once as she stepped to the side allowing them to pass before adding, not in anger or pride but as a blunt statement of truth, "You've failed General. I hope you rot."

His deep throaty chuckle ringed in her ears, "We'll see each other again, Youngling." His tone made her shudder as she watched them walk down the ramp to the undoubtedly waiting Republic Prison guards and likely Commander Fox. She also figured there might be some masters from the jedi council. Though there really was only one person that she wanted to see...

Her master.

Her head pounded with painful excitement as her fingers drummed against her thigh. She took a step forward then stopped... an uncontrollable whirlwind of thoughts pelting her. What if Anakin was mad at her? What if he didn't want her as a padawan anymore? What if the holovid she'd sent Padme didn't go over the way she expected? What if the council demoted her? Ahsoka Tano was still young enough to be a youngling after all. Though she knew many of her thoughts were unfounded and had no basis for real concern the commander was worried.

She was almost scared.

Ahsoka shook it off. Jedi Knights were never scared.

Then again, she wasn't a Jedi Knight.

Yet.

"You okay, Kid?" Rex asked interrupting her thoughts as she turned around. Ahsoka nodded. She was okay. "Don't worry. It will be fine."

"Will you walk out with me?" The fourteen year old asked, not the jedi commander, as she looked to both Rex and Cody and they nodded. Falling in line with each other the three walked out and down the ramp. Ahsoka noticed the two soldiers fall back slightly, "What ar-," As she stepped off the ramp and into the waiting sunlight she too stopped in her tracks. There, lined up in rows on her right and her left were clone troopers. Their helmets on as they each stood at attention with their hands behind their backs.

She recognized the different markings from the different legions. A mix of green, red, brown, purple. Many of the clones she didn't recognize, but her eyes caught the few that she did. Ahsoka Tano was confused to say the least. It wasn't like she was some war hero or a high-ranking official. She was just a padawan. Just a kid.

"Attention!" Ahsoka's gaze darted back to Rex and Cody who'd just yelled out. The two men that she regarded as friends removed their helmets and held them to their left hip. While their right hand went up in a salute. Whipping around once more she watched as a hundred more troopers followed suit.

Padawan Tano didn't know what she did to deserve such a welcome honor, but as she looked into the actual eyes of each of the men as she walked by she couldn't help the feeling that sunk it's way into her heart. She felt loved, if that was possible. A feeling she didn't quite know how to take. A feeling that was basically forbidden. She was half-way down the line when her eyes looked towards the end, and she brightened immensely.

There, standing among many members of the jedi order was her master. His blue eyes lit up as she saw him and his arms stretched out in a warm welcome.

"Master!" She called out and took off. Ahsoka Tano didn't care if it was un-jedi like or childish as she bounded towards the man she regarded as family. Coming in at full speed she rammed into her master's chest, wrapping his arms around him as he did to her. "I missed you, Master."

"I missed you too, Snips."

The moment didn't last long as the two pulled away, but Anakin hung onto his padawans arm for a little longer. His eyes staring into hers as if he was looking right into her soul, "I'm so sorry Ahsoka. I should never have let this happen. This is all my fault."

Ahsoka shook her head, "No, Master. It's not your fault."

Yoda stepping between the two added, "Padawan Tano, good to see you , it is. Much to discuss, we have. Come, come, you must."

Anakin and Ahsoka nodded as the waiting jedi followed Master Yoda in his retreat. Obi-Wan handed Krell to the heavily armed Coruscant guards. Ahsoka looked back at the still saluting clone troopers, her face crinkled with an ever-growing confusion as she tugged on her master's robes. He stopped, looking back at her and waited,

"Master, I don't understand…?" She asked motioning to the soldiers. Anakin breathed a laugh knowing that she hadn't been told. She didn't know about the holovid that exploded across the galaxy.

"These troopers are accepting you as one of their own Ahsoka. You've earned their respect," Anakin told her. His own head shaking in amazement.

Ahsoka looked up at him, "I still don't,"

"Don't worry Snips. I'll explain later, but you better not leave the men waiting." Anakin Skywalker told her as he turned to walk away. Stopping to wait for her by the entrance.

Ahsoka turned, her gaze landing the troopers ahead of her. Solidifying her stance, she gave her own respectful bow that was jedi-normal before raising her own hand in a salute. Her eyes hit Rex's who gave her a nod before she finished the salute her hand hanging in the air as she waved. The rest of the men followed suit, returned their helmets to their heads. Formation wasn't broken until the Commander turned around and entered the jedi temple.

Shaking her head the slightly overwhelmed Ahsoka with an added bounce, trotted to her Master who gave her a nod in approval, "Come on. You've got a long day ahead."

Sorry this took so long to post. I wasn't sure about this chapter, but it's how I wanted the story to go so here it is! I'll post Anakin's side of this chapter next to help the story progress to where I'd like it to go as the story continues. Thank you all so much for the reviews. It really helped get this chapter out and improves the story each time.

Thanks!

-Flipside