No Going Back
Summary:
Rex meets Merit.
Team Light is reunited.
Ahsoka and Rex talk.
Obi-Wan grieves for Anakin and Thea keeps him company.
The team goes back to Coruscant to make their report.
Barriss leaves her master.
Jinn and company hold a recruitment meeting.
59.
Rex had no idea what was going on. The last thing he remembered was fighting Sidious in the other timeline. Then, the world broke apart, and he found himself in this darkness.
He had his helmet lights on to help light his way. He tried to comm his friends on his communicator but he hadn't been able to reach anybody. He had been walking aimlessly for hours in the hopes that he would see something.
However, there hadn't seen anything, not even any landscape. It was all flat terrain. There were no lights, not even stars. He figured this must be what the cracks between worlds must look like. It was just a big empty place.
Rex didn't want to lose hope. Ahsoka and the others were counting on him. He wasn't a Jedi or Force-sensitive, but he was a soldier, and he wasn't about to let his friends down.
He felt tremors occasionally and strong winds. Yet, he still saw no signs of any of his friends.
Suddenly, he saw something shining in the darkness.
"Hey! Wait! Can you help me?"
Rex got close enough and saw the shining light was a man. He had a pale complexion and wore full armor and a cape. He had a bird-head-shaped helmet tucked under his arm. Rex saw he was armed with a sword.
The man turned to Rex and tilted his head curiously at him.
"Your aura is weak. How did you get here?"
"That's a long story. I was hoping you've seen my friends."
"I've met a young woman named Ahsoka Tano."
Rex was relieved and said, "Yes, she's my friend. I'm looking for her."
The man placed his hand over his chest in greeting and said, "Let me introduce myself. I am Merit Griffin, a former knight of Griffin. I am known as the Walker of the Waste."
Rex took off his helmet and decided to be formal as well and said, "My name is Rex. I'm the captain of the 501st Legion of the Grand Army of the Republic."
The clone Captain then offered Merit his hand. Merit stepped forward and took it. Rex noted his grip was firm, and he wore a chain mail gauntlet. It was worn, and there were marks on his armor. Rex recognized another soldier when he saw one.
Merit said, "You missed it. The end is near. This world will crumble. I am staying to see as much of it as I can before I move on. You are welcome to join me."
Rex awkwardly said, "Uh, no thanks. I was wondering if you knew how I could get back to my friends."
"Tano and her friends have already returned to their world. It was Lady Thrice's other self that took them back."
Rex frowned. Rex knew Lady Thrice was Jinn's mother. He wondered how Merit knew her. The Captain shook his head. It wasn't the time to think about relationships. The world was freaking ending.
"Never mind that! Get us out of here."
"If you insist."
Merit smiled and grabbed Rex by the shoulder. Merit's body began to glow brighter until it swallowed them up.
XXX
Meanwhile, in another time and place, team Light emerged on Atollon. The strange coral-like structures and red sands were a familiar sight to Ezra. He got up and looked around and immediately cheered.
"Oh yeah! We did it! We made it."
He looked around and saw his mentor laying on the ground and unconscious. He was a little disappointed but relieved. He was thankful that Ventress and the others came for them.
Rey smiled and said, "That's great, but where are we?"
Ventress answered, "Atollon." She then turned to Ezra and said, "Who's that?"
Ezra said, "Oh, this is Rey. Jinn sort of adopted her, so I guess that makes her your niece?"
The ex-assassin raised her brow and turned to her sleeping husband.
"Jinn will have to explain himself when he wakes up."
Ezra stopped when he saw Ahsoka. She was grabbing onto Thea's arms and pleading.
"We have to go back! We need to save Rex."
The bodyguard took her arms loose and said, "I can't. That world is gone. I'm sorry."
Ahsoka shook her head and said, "No. I have to try. I need to save him. Please."
Obi-Wan tried to comfort her. "Ahsoka, Thea is right. You saw it. That world is unraveling."
Ahsoka shook her head in denial. She turned away from Thea and marched up to the amber Jedi instead.
"Jinn."
However, she stopped when she saw he was unconscious. She realized that Jinn's Force shields were down. His presence wasn't as powerful as it was before. He felt like an ordinary Jedi.
Ezra said, "I'll help you, Ashoka."
Rey stepped forward and said, "Me too." said, "You're going to need a third to open a gate."
Ahsoka turned to the ex-assassin and said, "Please, Ventress. I need your help."
Ventress coldly replied, "No."
Ahsoka said, "Jinn would have helped me."
"I'm not, him. I'm not going to risk my life when I have my child to think about."
The Togurta beauty suddenly felt guilty for asking. She realized that she had no right to ask Ventress for her help.
Thea said, "Here. Take my sword." She unsheathed the silver sword at her side and presented it to Ahsoka. "This belonged to my mentor. Sir Merit's sword will guide you."
Ahsoka took it but recognized the name. Merit was the name of the man in the Beyond. She wondered what happened to him.
Suddenly, a burst of light appeared in front of them. Ahsoka shielded her eyes against the rays. When the light faded, she saw that the ground was frozen and Rex was standing in the enter the icy circle.
"Rex!"
Ahsoka dropped the sword and ran to the clone captain and threw her arms around his neck. Rex was startled at first, but he quickly returned her hug.
"I'm glad you're safe, Soka."
She pulled back to look into his beautiful brown eyes and cupped his face.
"I am too."
She then closed the distance between them and kissed him. Rex pressed his hand behind her head and around her waist. When they pulled apart, he kept his forehead close to hers. He caressed her marked white cheek with his thumb.
"You got older."
Ahsoka smiled and said, "Yeah, it happened when Jinn gave me everyone's powers."
Rex pulled back and said, "Does that mean you took down Vader?"
She shook her head and replied, "No. It was Padme."
"The Senator?"
Rex looked over at Padme. She looked dazed. Her thoughts appeared to be light-years away. And of all people, it was Maul who was looking after her from a distance.
Obi-Wan said, "We're not far from the base. Let's go rejoin our friends."
XXX
The 501st and 212th had returned from Exegol after Obi-Wan and his friends made it to the surface. Cody was curious how his general made it off the planet in one piece and returned to the base. Though, he guessed it was a Jedi thing. It usually was.
Though, he was concerned when he saw Maul and Ventress carrying Master Jinn. He sent word to Kit to prepare the med lab.
"What's his condition, General?"
Obi-Wan glanced at Jinn as a couple of soldiers put him on a hover bed.
"I suspect Jinn will make a full recovery, Cody."
"And General Skywalker?"
Obi-Wan paused and sadly replied, "He's not coming back."
Cody wanted to ask the general what he meant but held back. It wasn't his place to ask. Meanwhile, the Senator looked awful. A young woman was escorting her inside with Ezra.
Cody sighed with relief when he saw Rex and Commander Tano. The two were walking side by side. However, the Commander said something to Rex that made him stop. They turned and walked off towards the coral.
He frowned. He decided to let them have their privacy. He needed to talk to the general about their next plan.
XXX
"What is it, Ahsoka?"
The Togurta beauty nervously rubbed her hands and twirl her lekku. She kicked a few stones on the ground. Rex was confused.
"Is something wrong?"
She looked up and said, "No."
Rex frowned and said, "Then, what do you want to talk about?"
Ahsoka closed the distance between them and took his hands.
"Now that everything is over and the Sith is gone, I don't know what our lives will be like in the future, but there is one thing I am certain of, and that's you. You've my best friend, and you've always believed in me. Rex, will you marry me?"
Rex smiled and said, "Yes, Ahsoka. I'd be honored to be your husband."
He then kissed her and wrapped her in his arms.
XXX
Meanwhile, all Obi-Wan wanted was a place to be alone. He never thought Anakin would fall. Especially after receiving Ashoka and Rex's warning. They were so foolish to think they could undo Palpatine's plans so easily.
He found himself deep inside the caves that led to an underwater stream. Someone had put up a few lights, but it was relatively dark in the cave.
He felt like such a fool. He should have tried harder. He should have been more aware of Anakin's state of mind. He knew about his relationship with Padme. He turned a blind eye to it. He knew what it was like to love someone. Anakin didn't share his background. He knew his family. He thought he would become a great Jedi despite it, not fall because of it. He was wrong. He wished he could have done more.
He sat down by the water's edge and placed his hand over his face. Thea approached him and sat down beside him. She sent him soothing waves through the Force.
"Please, Thea. I want to be alone."
She turned to look at him with her glowing red eyes.
"I wanted to remind you that you're not alone."
"I appreciate that, but I can't accept your feelings."
"Oh, you didn't want my friendship, Sir Knight?"
He turned to her and said, "No, I want us to be friends, but that's all I want."
She curiously tilted her head. "Yes, you explained to me your code of non-attachments."
He got up and said, "I don't even know if we should even be friends."
She stood up and asked, "Why? Did I offend you?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Ah, I see. You're worried you will break the code as your counterpart did in Jinn's timeline."
"You knew?"
"Jinn looks like you, and he carries a sword with my Clan seal. I just helped rescue you from a parallel world. It isn't hard to put the pieces together. He is the child of our counterparts."
"You never said anything."
"Neither did you."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"No. He is a great warrior."
"Is he the reason why you want my company? Was Anakin's fall also his destiny?"
"I don't believe in destiny, or I wouldn't have left the Clan."
"Maybe your counterpart did the same. Perhaps leaving was your destiny."
Annoyed, Thea said, "You don't want a reason. You want to ease your conscience. I didn't know Anakin Skywalker, but from what I do know, he was warned of a great evil but chose to follow it instead. He left his secret wife to die and tried to kill all of you so he could obtain the power of a god. Don't belittle his actions as destiny. They were his and his alone."
She then raised her hand and slapped him across the face. Thea seemed shocked by what she had done and looked at her hand before balling it into a fist and running out of the cave.
Stunned, Obi-Wan froze before running after her.
"Thea! Thea, wait!"
He caught her wrist in the tunnels. She kept her gaze turned away from him.
In a small voice, she said, "What I feel isn't written in the stars; it's in my heart."
"Thea, you shouldn't have feelings for me. I can't return them."
She turned to face him and said, "It's not up to you how I feel." She then leaned in close to whisper into his ear, "Besides, you're a liar. I know your feelings."
Obi-Wan realized that she could read his emotions through his hand on her wrist. He tried to pull away, but she caught his hand.
He didn't love Thea, but he was attracted to her. She intrigued him with her power and her past. They had a lot in common. Yet, unlike the Jedi, Thea didn't turn away from attachments. He'd seen firsthand how being attached could give you strength.
"Suns and moons, you are beautiful."
"Don't you mean handsome?"
"If it pleases you, Sir Knight."
"And what would please you, My Lady?"
"Any favor from you would please me."
He smiled and said, "It's usually customary for a lady to give her knight a favor and not the other way around."
"Very well, what should I give you?"
"Anything you like."
She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Her touch was gentle and soft compared to her callous warrior hands.
"Remember to return my favor when we meet again, Sir Knight."
She then let him go and retreated out of the cave.
Cody saw Thea leave the caves when he went searching for General Kenobi. He spared her a curious look before going deeper in. It wasn't long before he spotted the general in one of the tunnels.
"General, are you alright?"
"Uh, yes. I'm fine. What is it, Cody?"
The Clone Commander replied, "What's our next move, General?"
"I need to return to Coruscant and report what has happened to the High Council. The Senate will have to be informed of the Chancellor's death."
"Alright, I'll prepare the men."
XXX
Location: Coruscant
Even though Ahsoka and Rex were wanted for attempting to murder Palpatine, she decided to return to Coruscant to clear their name.
Thanks to the Clone Network, they had evidence of Palpatine's involvement with the Separatists. They could prove that he played both sides of the war for his political gain. However, Ahsoka knew the blame didn't entirely rest on the Sith. Sidious had many supporters who cared more about profit over the lives of innocent people.
Ahsoka asked Slick to join them. He would help advocate the need for Clone Rights at the Senate. The Peace Movement would be represented by Separatists Senator Bonteri and Senator Amidala. Padme was devastated by Anakin's death and what she had done, but she insisted on working. Barriss wanted to come and show her support as well.
Unfortunately, clones weren't permitted inside the High Council chamber. Rex and Slick would have to wait outside.
The Jedi younglings wanted to return to the Temple to formally resign from the Order. They wanted to join Jinn's New Jedi Order.
Jinn said he would accompany them to Coruscant so he could ask more Padawans to join him. Of corse, Jinn's family joined him. Though, he did not want to attend the meeting with the High Council, and she couldn't blame him. Slick went with Jinn. He didn't want to wait around with Rex.
The Jedi High Council room was just as she remembered. The tall windows overlooked the city and the circle of Jedi Masters that once sealed her fate as a Padawan. It felt like a lifetime ago.
However, Ahsoka was no longer a child. She wasn't afraid to live outside the Order. She was no longer a Jedi. She hadn't been one for a long time. It felt good to be in a body that matched her mind again.
Master Yoda started, "Make your report, Master Obi-Wan."
"Yes. Master." Obi-Wan sat forward in his seat and said, "Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was on Geonosis in pursuit of Count Dooku and was kidnapped during the seige"
Master Windu said, "On who's orders did Skywalker go after Dooku?"
"None. He wanted proof that Dooku was connected to Chancellor Palpatine. Palpatine is-well was a Sith."
Master Windu sat forward and said,"What do you mean was?"
"He was killed by Anakin."
Master Yoda said, "And where is young Skywalker?"
Roughly, Obi-Wan replied, "He's dead."
Master Yoda nodded his head. "Feel his passing, I did. Evidence you have of Chancellor Palpatine being a Sith?"
Obi-Wan said, "Yes, we have several recorded messages of Palpatine in communication with known Separatists. I also witnessed his power."
Master Windu raised his brow. "And you didn't think you should have informed this Council first?"
Master Yoda interrupted and said, "Aware I saw of Chancellor Palpatine being a Sith."
Shocked, Master Windu said, "And you didn't share this information with the rest of us? Why?"
Master Yoda replied, "Hope I did that the danger would not unfold as predicted."
Ahsoka stepped forward and said, "You were wrong."
Mace narrowed his brow and said, "Hold your tongue, Padawan."
She glared and said, "No. What Master Yoda failed to tell the rest of you was that the warning of the Sith came from me and Captain Rex. We come from a future timeline where the Republic fell and the Jedi along with it. It's your blind ignorance to the truth that led you down the path of war. It turned Jedi Masters into generals and Padawans into Commanders. I have been fighting this war since I was 14, and I have been fighting ever since. You no longer live by your ideals. You happily accept the clone soldiers to fight by your side, but you never value their lives or thought about their future. You didn't even question who made them. All of you, all of us, played right into Sidious' plans. The Order stopped leading and became followers and we all followed the way of the Sith when we agreed to be a part of the war."
She then stepped forward and placed a data pad with the evidence on the floor in the middle of the room.
"Here's your proof."
She then turned around to leave. Rex fell into step beside her.
Master Windu said, "Wait, you aren't dismissed, Padawan Tano."
She looked over her shoulder and said, "I am no longer a Jedi, and I do not recognize the authority of this Council."
Master Windu said, "You and Captain Rex are still wanted for treason."
"If trying to kill a Sith makes me a traitor, then so be it. You're welcome to try and arrest me."
Master Windu raised his brow. He could not believe the gall of the Padawan. Though, he could see she wasn't bluffing. If need be, he knew she was ready to take on the entire High Council. The Force was telling him that she didn't just look like an adult. She was an adult. She had the eyes of someone who'd seen the Jedi fall.
However, he was more annoyed at Master Yoda for keeping Padawan Tano's warning to himself. If he knew the Sith's identity, he would probably do the same as Tano and confront him by himself.
Master Windu leaned back and said, "If Miss Tano is no longer a Jedi, then it is up to the local authorities to arrest and prosecute her for her crime."
"Thanks. I suppose that's the least you can do since we ended the war for you."
Ahsoka met Master Yoda's eyes and said, "There is nothing left here for me."
XXX
Meanwhile, elsewhere inside the Jedi Temple, Barris approached her master. Master Luminara was meditating in her room. She didn't move when Barriss came in.
"Where have you been, Barris?"
"That isn't important right now. Not compared to what I have to say."
Master Luminara got up and turned to face her apprentice. She closed the distance between and folded her hands.
"Alright, what is so urgent?"
Barris took a deep breath and met her gaze. "I'm leaving the Order. I can no longer be a Jedi."
Master Luminara was shocked and unfolded her hands. "Barris, where is this coming from?"
"I'm not blind! We're supposed to be peacekeepers, but we're soldiers fighting in a war. We don't follow the Force. We follow politicians."
The Jedi Master frowned and placed her hands on Barriss' shoulders.
"I know this is hard. I understand your conflict, but we are defending the people."
Barriss turned her head to the side and gently removed Master Luminara's hands from her shoulders.
"I'm sorry, but I've already made up my mind. I came back to tell you that I'm leaving."
Master Luminara couldn't believe her ears. "What will you do?"
Barriss heard the concern in her former master's voice and took her hand to reassure her.
"I'm joining a new order. One that doesn't follow the High Council. You could come with me?"
Master Luminara took hold of her hand and gave her a sad smile. "I can't do that, Barriss. I am a Jedi. I want you to consider your decision carefully. Leaving the Order is not something you should do lightly."
"Then, at least hear what Master Jinn has to say. He's holding a meeting in the Fountain Room."
When Master Luminara didn't immediately respond, Barris took it as a rejection and turned to leave.
"I have to go. May the Force be with you, Master."
Barris was gone. Master Luminara didn't follow. She felt Barriss' conviction through their bond. Master Luminara clung to their bond. She wouldn't let her apprentice go without investigation this New Order for herself.
XXX
Jinn was holding an informal meeting in the Fountain Room at the Jedi Temple. It was a favorite spot for many Jedi. His family and friends were with him; Asajj, Ezra, Maul, and Rey.
Rumor had already spread about their defeat of the Sith Lord thanks to the Clone Network. Regardless, Asajj and Maul wore robes and helmets to hide their identities.
Jinn and Asajj had decided to leave their son on Atollon with Fives. They named him Ky after Asajj's Jedi Master. Ky's maturation had been slightly accelerated, and he was a bustling toddler instead of an infant. Jinn tried not to worry about Fives. He had his brothers to help him care for his son.
The group of Padawans that came to him on Atollon had spread the word for others to meet him and hear him speak. Jinn was a little nervous. He never tried building a new order before. In his own timeline, that had been his older brother Luke's dream, not his.
However, a large group of both Padawans and Masters had gathered to listen to him.
"Attention, everyone. Thank you all for agreeing to meet with me. My name is Jinn Kenobi, and I am creating a new order. An order that doesn't follow the rule of any government. One that practices balance between the Darkness and the Light."
Master Luminara stepped forward and said, "Those are very attractive ideals, but how do you plan to carry them out?"
"It's how I live. I carry out those ideals every day. I am a master of both the Darkness and the Light. I came here to ask you to join me. I'm asking you to break your vow. I'm giving you a place at my side. My home. My Clan. There, my strength will be your strength. Your strength will be mine. Our common thread won't be the Light, but the Force."
Master Luminara met Jinn's amber eyes. She saw that he was sincere. His companions also confirmed that he followed what he believed in. She felt some reassurance that Barris wasn't making a complete mistake, but time would tell if he claimed would happen.
She lowered her gaze and said, "Thank you for your offer, Master Jinn. Though, I can not leave the Order."
The amber Jedi bowed his head to her and said, "As you wish. Those who wish to follow me must do so of their own free will."
However, before Master Luminara turned to go, Slick huffed and said, "Free will? Ha! Don't make me laugh. You were all programmed to listen to the High Council since you were snatched away as babies. This man is offering you a chance to get away, and you would rather stay and continue to fight in a senseless war. Stop deluding yourselves. You'll never get a better offer from anyone else."
Asajj placed her hand on Slick's shoulder and said, "Forget it. You can't convince someone unwilling to see the truth. Besides, I don't want dimwitted Jedi among our ranks."
Maul said, "I agree with Lady Kenobi. These Jedi are sheep."
To Master Luminara's surprise, Jinn nodded his head in agreement. "Alright, after today no more recruiting."
Ezra said, "Wait. I thought the whole point of coming here was to get more people to join us."
"They know we're here, Bridger. If they want to join us then they must seek us out for themselves. Not everyone is worthy of becoming my disciple."
Ezra raised his brow. "Funny, you seem pretty accepting to pretty much everyone who wants to learn from you."
"I have standards, Bridger. I only highly respect Force weilders who have the ability to kill me."
Rey frowned at the Jinn's statement but didn't disagree. While living on Jakku, she had to fend for herself and knowing who was dangerous was important if you wanted to survive.
Pleased, Maul said. "Spoken like a true student of the Dark Side, Master Jinn."
Ezra closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. "Wait. You think I can kill you?"
"If you really want to, perhaps, but the odds are in my favor given our differences in age, knowledge and strength."
Ezra shouted, "What?! Why would you even think that?"
"In case I go too far, I want you to stop me." Jinn placed his hand on his shoulder. "You're my child, Ezra. We look out for each other through the good and the bad."
Ezra lowered his gaze and placed his hand over Jinn's on his shoulder. He thought about Anakin and how he turned. He stopped caring about the people around him. He couldn't imagine Jinn doing the same.
He was also grateful that Jinn called him his child. Though, Jinn didn't treat him like a child, he treated him like family. Jinn understood what it meant to have a family like he did.
"Come, Bridger. The Jedi Temple is not the only place to find other Force sensitive beings who want to join us. The galaxy is a big place."
The group turned to go, but some of the Padawans that came to listen followed them out of the room.
XXX
TBC
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