Chapter 13 – Alive?

I decided to update this story first. Everyone learning of Ahsoka's survival was great to write out. How will everyone react?

Hope you enjoy.

;-

Hyperspace

Queen Ahsoka Tano sat inside her quarters on the royal transport that was taking her to Coruscant. She had used this transport on multiple occasions before during trips over Shili. It was a fast and comfortable cruiser, with plenty of room for her, Senator T'Rani, the royal guards and other staff that they needed. It was also more than capable of handling its own against potential attackers, like pirates or slavers. Taking into account the support ships also travelling along, any group foolish enough to attack them would be taken down swiftly.

She was in a light meditative state, trying to release her anxious feeling into the Force. All too soon for her, they'd be back on Coruscant. Everyone there would learn of her survival. She would have to confront those responsible for her death. It would not be easy, but she had full confidence in the team that Shaden and Silara had assembled. They would see to her safety no matter what. With them and her own Force abilities, no harm would come to her if anyone tried something.

She wasn't sure just how this was going to go. She would just have to wait. It was only a matter of time now. She knew she had the full support of her people in the decision that they had reached. That did make her feel better about it all. For her people, she would see this through.

With nothing else to do, she settled in to wait.

;-

Coruscant

Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo looked around the large hall. The latest Republic ball was in full swing. Many senators, advisors, consultants and other staff and companions were attending. Considering the goal today was to recruit multiple neutral systems into the Republic, it was busier than previous balls.

The place was decorated spectacularly. No expense was spared for this ball. They could cater to pretty much everyone's different needs and preferences. Whatever they wanted, it could be provided. All of it a symbol of the unity that is the Republic.

This massive gathering had given her a peaceful moment to catch up with a couple of her friends and fellow senators, as well as others that now represented neutral worlds. Some of them hadn't been on Coruscant in years and she wanted to make the most of it. She hoped that they would all come back into the Republic. She could really use their help to bring this war to a quick and peaceful end.

The one person that she couldn't find, however, was her secret husband Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. He hadn't been the same after what happened to Ahsoka. Losing her had taken a massive chunk out of his heart. She couldn't deny it, she felt exactly the same. After Ahsoka had been assigned to Anakin and they had met, the young Togruta had become a mixture of a daughter and little sister to them both.

When she had gotten to know Ahsoka better, it had become very obvious that the young girl and her dear husband were two of the same kind. The two made a perfect match and they had clearly shown that over the years. They could also make a very frustrating and stubborn pair. At times she would find them relaxing together in her apartment, at other times she would find them arguing, sometimes over the pettiest of things, with neither of them willing to give any ground. With them both over at the apartment it had never been dull.

She had been able to see Ahsoka grow up from the young and eager girl to a strong and caring young woman. Sometimes the younger girl had sought her advice on certain matters, often political ones. At other times she had offered Ahsoka a listening ear as the younger girl vented her frustrations or worries about the war and the battles they had been in, or just other matters that weighed on her mind. Ahsoka had also often provided her a listening ear (Montral?) in return. They had grown so close.

But then, she had been ripped away from them. Accused and framed for horrible crimes and then executed for it. All because no one had bothered to listen to her pleas of innocence. No one had cared to listen. No one had cared to investigate anything at all. The trial had been rushed with questionable evidence at best. Unfortunately, Anakin and her had been too late to be able to help her. Ahsoka was ripped from their lives. After a live dedicated to the ways of the Jedi and protecting others, it was a fate that she hadn't deserved.

She pulled herself out of the memories and greeted a few other senators. It wouldn't do any good if she was moody and upset in the presence of her fellow senators. She needed to try and get them on her side, not push any of them away. She owed it to Ahsoka to bring this war to a peaceful end as soon as possible.

After some more pleasantries with other senators she spotted a different familiar face in the crowd. The man in question had probably known about her presence before she saw him. It was only to be expected of a member of the Jedi Council. Her interactions with the majority of the Jedi Council had grown rather colder ever since Ahsoka's death, but she wouldn't treat Obi-Wan Kenobi like that as well.

Anakin's former Master had also been devastated by what happened to Ahsoka, even though he was able to mask his feelings a lot better than her husband. He had expected that everyone would have quickly realized that Ahsoka would never have done such terrible things. Furthermore, there wasn't even any way she could have done it, considering how long Anakin and her had been away from Coruscant. He had been horrified to see how wrong his assumption had been, with Ahsoka paying the ultimate prize for the Republic's and Jedi Council's negligence and disinterest in the truth.

Padmé walked up to him. "Master Kenobi, it's good to see you. How are you? I heard you recently returned to Coruscant from a long campaign." She had heard some things about the battle from her husband. It had been a long and grueling campaign, with the Separatists being able to keep dropping reinforcements into the battle. The combined strategies of The Team had resulted in a clear Republic victory, but it had been a prolonged battle.

Obi-Wan gave a polite smile and bowed. "It's nice to see you as well, Senator Amidala," he replied. "We indeed had a lengthy battle, but we did come out victorious in the end. Anakin's plans gave us the edge we needed to finally overcome the droids."

"I'm glad to hear it went well," Padmé said with a light smile. She had half a mind to inquire about Anakin's plans, crazy as they could sometimes be, but decided against it. "Speaking of Master Skywalker, did he not join you today?" She saw the Jedi Master's face become a bit too straight at her question.

"I'm afraid that Anakin has decided not to attend," Obi-Wan replied. "He still feels no desire to casually mingle with senators and others that, in his words, were responsible for Ahsoka's death." He lightly shook his head. "He has not been the same since her death."

Padmé regarded the Jedi a moment. "You haven't been the same either, Obi-Wan," she thought with some sadness. "I understand. Losing Ahsoka was very hard. Sometimes I still expect her to walk through the door, ready to share the latest news of your misadventures." She sighed. "What happened to her was just wrong."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "And it seems that no one has learned anything from this tragedy…"

His words were soft, but Padmé heard them nonetheless. It was clear to her that both Anakin and Obi-Wan were unhappy with the way the Order had handled everything and then basically dismissed their failures. Her husband had often spend long times ranting and raving about the Council and their faulty ways. He let it all out it fits of rage. However, to her, Obi-Wan seemed more like the type to keep it all bottled up. She wondered if he had even discussed it with someone. Or if it was just festering inside his mind.

Obi-Wan gave a small cough. "Well, regardless of the past, I hope that the meetings at this ball mean that we can move ahead to a better future and perhaps a swift end for this war," he said as he looked around the crowd.

Padmé resisted a frown. She figured she was right about the older Jedi of the two keeping it all bottled up. If he didn't want to discuss it, then she wouldn't be able to force him to do so. "At least not here at this ball, in public." In a more private setting, she might have more luck with the overly stubborn Jedi.

"Yes, I hope you're right." She replied instead. "There are many people here representing neutral systems. We may be able to forge great new alliances today." She smiled as she recalled one group that was due to arrive soon. "We are also expecting the queen of Shili and her entourage here. I'm excited to meet her. The stories about her rule are inspiring."

"Indeed," Obi-Wan agreed. "The stories describe her as a kindhearted ruler and Shili has become quite prosperous under her reign. I am curious to see what sort of person she is."

Padmé couldn't help a smile. "Yes, I am eager to see as well," she replied. "By the way, Master Kenobi, did you see Senator Organa already? He was hoping to discuss something with you."

"Hmm, no, I have not seen the Senator yet. I'll go and look for him. Thank you Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan said with a grateful nod. He bowed and took his leave.

Padmé watched the Jedi leave. She wasn't too sure of what to make of him sometimes. She pushed the thoughts away for now as she watched Mon Mothma walk up to her.

;-

It was a short while later and Padmé found herself waiting close to one of the entrances to the hall with Bail and Mon. They had just received word that the Queen of Shili had arrived with her entourage. She was eager to meet the young queen, as were Bail and Mon, so they had moved closer to the entrance she was due to enter at.

After a few minutes of waiting it seemed that their patience was about to be rewarded. A few armored Togruta warriors walked into the hall. Royal guards, she knew from looking up some Shili traditions. They were rumored to be immensely powerful warriors. They certainly gave off that aura.

"Why do they seem so… on edge?" Mon commented next to her.

Padmé frowned, but found herself agreeing with her fellow Senator. The guards seemed on alert, like they were expecting trouble. Like they were waiting for something to go wrong. She couldn't help but wonder why. Around her, the attention of more people in the hall was drawn to the entrance due to the arrival of the guards.

Senator T'Rani Corso walked into the hall as well behind the guards, with an expression that seemed a bit too straight. One of the male guards walked up a bit further. Then, with a clear voice filled with authority, he announced:

"Her royal majesty, queen Ahsoka Tano of Shili!"

Complete silence overtook the hall as the queen walked in. His declaration had everyone stunned. Padmé herself was absolute certain that she had misheard him. That her mind had twisted the probably familiar name into one she wanted to hear. That was what it had to be. There was no other way. But then she saw the queen. Saw the all too familiar face. It couldn't be.

Queen Ahsoka Tano of Shili looked around the hall. She hadn't been certain of what kind of reception to expect here, but a stunned silence wasn't fully what she expected. Still… she recognized a lot of faces. A lot of familiar faces that had been there at her trial, in the public viewing areas of the court room. Faces that had seemed pleased when she had received the death penalty. She didn't like it. Not one bit.

She turned slightly to T'Rani next to her. "It's a bizarre sensation. To stand before those who turned on you. Before those who betrayed you. Before those that couldn't be bothered to listen to you and those who celebrated when you were killed unjustly." She paused a moment. "It's a strange feeling and I do not like it at all." She kept her face passive and just gazed over the crowd, taking in some of the stunned and stupefied expressions.

Padmé felt like she couldn't believe her eyes. She took a few steps forward. "Ahsoka? Ahsoka, is that really you?" she asked in disbelief.

The young Togruta smiled at her. "Hello Padmé, it's wonderful to see you again," Ahsoka replied happily. "It's been too long. And, let's be honest, the last time I saw you wasn't exactly under the best circumstances. Hopefully we can catch up in a better way soon."

Padmé still found it strange and unexplainable, but there wasn't any doubt in her mind. This was indeed Ahsoka Tano. There was no denying it. She just knew it was true. But before she could reply, a voice sounded next to her: "How is this possible?"

She turned and saw Jedi Master Mace Windu standing there with several other Jedi, including Ki-Adi-Mundi, the other Council member that also attended this ball.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes and her previous cheerful expression became fully neutral in a slightly frightening way. "Mace Windu…" she replied calmly.

"That's Master Windu to you, Tano!" one of the Padawans that was there called out to her.

Ahsoka merely glanced at the girl. "That is a title earned and given by respect. That respect no longer exists, so the title falls away. And it's queen Tano to you," she replied in a neutral voice. She turned back to Mace Windu. "As for how this is possible, that is for me to know. Not any of you," she calmly informed him. She ignored their frowns and annoyed expressions.

She walked a bit closer and descended the few steps. Senator T'Rani remained standing where she was, but several of the guards moved along with Ahsoka, keeping a defensive semi-circle around her. "To put it simply, the Force saved me from the betrayal I suffered at the hands of the Republic and the Jedi and the corruption that has seeped into your very foundations. After the scam of a trial and my execution, I managed to escape to Shili, where I ascended to the throne, as was my birthright. I feel no obligation to share more with those who held responsibility for my death."

"I suggest you provide a better explanation than that. Especially after such an accusation towards the Republic." A familiar voice sounded.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes as Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin emerged from the crowd, flanked by some of his staff. The guards around her tensed slightly and were ready to move if needed.

"To avoid any complications, you had best provide a detailed explanation of your survival." Admiral Tarkin took a few steps closer, but halted when one of the female Togruta moved swiftly. She drew a heavy blaster and aimed it right at his heart. "W-What is the meaning of this?!" Tarkin demanded as his eyes fixated on the laser pointer on his chest.

Ahsoka looked at him with a disinterested expression. "It's quite simple, really. You held a rather large part in my death. Such transgressions against the royal family of Shili are punishable by death. Yet here you stand, making demands of me," she replied in a cool voice. "The question should be how you are still alive, to be honest. Corruption surrounded my trial and death, but I have not heard about anyone paying any sort of price for what happened. No one but me, that is." She let an angry gaze drift over everyone.

"As a small gesture to the Republic, I have asked my guards to not pursue this matter further and execute those who had a hand in my death immediately." She paused, letting her gaze wonder over the crowd before looking Tarkin in the eyes again. "But make no mistake, Tarkin. If you, or anyone else here, even gives smallest indication of ill will against me, my guards will not hesitate. They will end you where you stand." She looked back at a few senators, including Padmé. "I'll give the Republic the opportunity to prove they care about justice and let you sort out all of the corruption that happened and punish those responsible."

She walked back up the few steps to stand next to her senator. After a few words exchanged in Togruti, Ahsoka faced the crowd once more. "I instructed senator Corso to investigate what joining the Republic would offer Shili. Besides her expertise and that of our advisors, I let my people have a vote on this matter as well. Based on all the information I have received, my decision is an easy one." She paused again, annoyance swelling up in her as she sensed that some here were clearly expecting her to join the Republic regardless of everything that had happened to her in the past. The greed for Shili's prosperity echoed clearly through the Force. She didn't like it one bit.

"Based on the information provided to me and the will of my people, I have decided that Shili will not be joining the Republic," she declared. An pulse of shock spread through the room as many gasped, exclaimed surprise or yelled in protest. She didn't falter, merely increased the power of her voice with the Force. "Shili will not be pulled into this war. We will remain a neutral system. This decision is final. Until this war ends and the Republic shows that they care about cleaning up the corruption that has infested its core, this decision is non-negotiable."

Numerous senators and their staff shouted in protest and outrage at her words, but she paid them no mind. Several representatives of the neutral systems seemed interested in her words. She made a mental note to inform T'Rani to potentially expect transmissions from them in the very near future.

"With all that said, I have no intention of remaining on Coruscant any longer. This planet that I once proudly my home, now only houses pain and darkness. Good day to you." After those words, she gestured to her guards. They quickly took up their positions around her and they began to leave the hall, ignoring the chorus of outrage and protest behind them.

Padmé watched her leave in silence. It was one of those very rare instances in her life where she had absolutely no idea what she could say. What do you say to someone who was supposed to be dead, but somehow survived? Especially when the Republic she adored was responsible for it.

She took a look around. People had gathered in groups and were discussing what had just transpired. She already heard the theories and wild conspiracies flying around, but paid them little mind. She would see about clearing her schedule and trying to arrange a meeting with Ahsoka on Shili, or at the very least her senator in a transmission. She hoped that Ahsoka would be willing to share more with her in private.

Looking around again, she noticed that the mood at the ball had changed drastically. She doubted that much more political mingling would be happening now. She made a point of seeking out Bail and Mon again, then leaving the ball to see what she could do about her schedule.

;-

The following morning

Obi-wan Kenobi was making his way to his former Padawan's quarters. He had just been through a very lengthy Council session. The one subject discussed: Ahsoka.

The entirety of the Council was stunned. Ahsoka Tano had been executed, wrongfully it turned out afterwards, after being found guilty for the Temple bombing and following actions. A few members of the Council had been present at her execution, but they had all felt her death, no matter where they were at the time. Obi-Wan wasn't sure if the others had experienced something similar, but when it happened, he had felt a heavy impression of 'wrong' through the Force. He wasn't sure how to explain it. The Force itself seemed displeased with what had happened.

To his somewhat annoyance, the entire discussion had only been about trying to learn how she was alive. Most of the Council seemed to disregard their guilt in what had happened and were apparently not eager to discuss making any possible amends towards Ahsoka. Try as they might though, no one was able to come up with a possible answer to her living.

Ahsoka obviously knew the truth according to her words, but she was not eager to share this information with them. Understandable, he figured, after all that had happened. She had hinted at the Force being responsible for it, but they hadn't been able to figure anything out. For a while, both Master Healer Vokara Che and the head-archivist Master Jocasta Nu had been brought into the discussion. Neither had been able to bring in any further information to the table. An event like this simply hadn't happened before.

After hours of fruitless discussion, Obi-Wan had been tasked with bringing Anakin Skywalker into the next meeting. The idea was to question him about anything he might possibly know about this situation, as well as seeing if he could feel anything at all through their old training bond. If so, it might provide some more information.

The idea of using Anakin's former bond with Ahsoka to get the full truth was also offered by a few members of the Council. Their theory was that Ahsoka would still trust her former Master and discuss everything with him. Obi-wan had great difficulty in not offering some comments on that idea. He knew that Anakin would side with Ahsoka, no matter what the Council would say or do. If Ahsoka did confide her secrets in Anakin, if she asked, then he wouldn't tell the Council anything.

He had agreed to go and see Anakin, to both get out of this pointless meeting and to check up on his former Padawan. He had a feeling that Anakin had not yet found out about Ahsoka's apparent survival. He would have sensed that. He hoped that learning about her would improve his mood somewhat. After all, since her death, Anakin just hadn't been the same.

;-

Obi-Wan entered the quarters that his former Padawan used to share with Ahsoka. He looked around to find Anakin and quickly located him.

Anakin was hunched over a small work-bench, tinkering away at yet another little project. He had been working on more projects than ever. He claimed he was doing it for all sorts of reasons and people, but Obi-Wan knew it was a way to keep him from interacting with other people, many of whom he still blamed for Ahsoka's death. Anakin briefly looked over to him, gave him an acknowledging nod, then went back to his tinkering.

"Hello Anakin, I take it that you haven't seen what happened at the ball?" Obi-Wan asked. He was sure his former Padawan hadn't. He figured that Anakin would have been half-way to Shili already if he did know.

Anakin shrugged and put away his current tool and picked up another. "I don't really care what those politicians do, Obi-Wan." He welded a few pieces together, not turning to look at his former master.

"I really think that you should see what happened, Anakin," he told the younger man. He received no response. "Anakin, believe me on this. I do not know how I can explain it to you." Anakin again chose not to reply.

Obi-Wan sighed and picked up the remote for the holo-screen in the room, ignoring Anakin's muffled protest. He quickly looked up the footage of the ball, specifically one event of the ball. He found it and set it on play, turning up the volume when he saw that Anakin didn't want to look at the screen. The recording played and showed the Togruta warriors walking in again, with the male leader repeating his announcement.

"Her royal majesty, queen Ahsoka Tano of Shili!"

Pure, unfiltered shock blasted through the room, nearly knocking him off his feet. Anakin stared at the screen with wide-eyed disbelief. He watched as Ahsoka walked into the hall as queen, the statements she made and how it all played out, up to her leaving the ball. Obi-Wan paused the recording after Ahsoka walked out of the hall.

Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, shock and disbelief painting his face. "Obi-Wan, what… what is this?" he asked.

Obi-Wan was silent for a moment as he moved to sit down. "Somehow, Ahsoka is alive. I don't know how. I have never seen or heard of something like this happening before," he replied thoughtfully. "Furthermore, it seems that Ahsoka has somehow become the new queen of Shili. You know, the kind-hearted ruler that we've been hearing about, who brought along the prosperity that caused the Senate to invite Shili to join the Republic. That's Ahsoka."

"But… How… I…. I felt her death… I…" Anakin stuttered out, voice and body shaking. "I saw it happen… And I felt it happen… Our bond faded along with her life…" He called the remote to his hand and played back the recording, pausing it when the image zoomed in on Ahsoka's face. He stared wordlessly at the screen.

"We don't know how this is possible, but the Council has requested your presence at the next meeting in three hours from now. We're hoping to make some process in understanding what happened. They're expecting you there then," Obi-Wan explained, but he already had a feeling that Anakin would no longer be on Coruscant at that time.

Obi-Wan moved to stand next to Anakin and looked at the screen as well. "I was there. I can say without a doubt that it was truly Ahsoka," he said, glancing at Anakin. "Regardless of anything else, I'm glad that she's alive. She didn't deserve what had happened to her. She lives on Shili now and rules her planet as queen. That means that she's safe from this war at least. I hope she's happy there."

They stood in silence for a moment, just watching the screen. "Anakin, the Council meeting is in three hours. I hope to see you there, so we can try and explain this," Obi-wan reminded his former Padawan. Again, he wasn't expecting Anakin at the meeting at all, but he still had to say it. He then left the room, leaving Anakin in silence.

;-

Shili, royal palace

Queen Ahsoka Tano was just getting out of a meeting with Senator T'Rani Corso when she felt a tremor through the Force. Taking a brief moment to focus on it, she quickly identified who was responsible for it. A little overwhelmed by emotion, she felt her eyes water slightly and she took a shaking breath.

Her action did not go unnoticed by her company. "Ahsoka, is something wrong? Are you alright?" T'Rani asked her.

Ahsoka pulled herself together and coughed slightly to clear her throat. "Yes, don't worry. I'm fine. It's just…" She paused, turning to Silara. "Silara, please inform the rest of the guards that we'll have a visitor soon."

Silara regarded their young queen. "The good kind of visitor or the kind we need to kick off planet as soon as we can?" she asked. Ahsoka's insight served them well, it always paid to be prepared.

Ahsoka smiled slightly. "It's my old Master. It's Anakin…" she replied. She smirked. "Knowing him, he will probably barge into the palace. Run past everyone to find me. Just tell everyone to let him through. Don't try to stop him, he probably won't let you and I don't want anyone to get hurt."

Silara was a bit surprised by this news, but at the same time she figured that she shouldn't be too surprised. With everything that Ahsoka had shared about this Anakin Skywalker, she was more or less expecting him to appear on Shili after Ahsoka's appearance on Coruscant, but perhaps not this soon. "Very well, I'll let everyone know. Where will you be?"

"I'll wait for him in my quarters. It should be a pretty straightforward path there, so I hope he won't cause that much damage. He can be… reckless…" she replied with a smile. She shook her head and bid her goodbyes to the others before heading to her quarters.

;-

Anakin called on the Force and leapt over the wall, landing easily and continuing on with full speed immediately.

He had flown to Shili as fast as his ship could carry him there. He had probably ruined the engines and the hyperdrive somewhat, but he would look into that later. It didn't matter now. Not one bit. He was following a trail and right now it was all that mattered. From his ship straight to the palace in the city.

He ignored everyone he sped past. He wasn't going to let anyone get in his way. Nobody would be able to stop him now. He felt it clearly. He was getting closer. It was, without a doubt, her presence he felt radiating in the Force.

He leapt up to a different floor, not paying heed to the shocked and surprised reactions around him. He was getting ever closer. He was nearly there now. Her presence was there, in a nearby room. "I'm almost there!" he thought with slight desperation. He needed to know. To see it for himself. Is it really her?

He continued to run through the hall. There! The door ahead. Her presence was behind it. He sped up and pushed through the door.

He found himself in a large bedroom, elegant and comfortable. He scanned the room, not paying attention to the objects in the room. He didn't care about the bed or closet or whatever. He was here for someone. One very special someone.

The room was empty. The presence he had tracked still lingering, but not there. He panicked slightly, unsure of what to do now. Unsure of where to go. A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. A very, very familiar voice.

"Did you ever hear of knocking, Skyguy?"

He spun around and there she was, walking inside the room from a balcony. It was her, really her. His eyes traced her face, the familiar orange skin, the familiar white markings, the shining blue of her eyes. She was a bit taller and her montrals and lekku were slightly longer, but it was really her. The Force confirmed it for her. He wasn't just imagining things. He wasn't just seeing what he wanted to see. She was here. Alive. "Ahsoka…" he said softly.

"Hello Anakin," Ahsoka replied with a smile. "It's great to see you again."

Hearing her voice, hearing her say his name made him lose all control. He rushed forward and pulled her into a tight hug. After a brief moment of surprise, she returned the hug just as strongly. Something hard poked against his head, but he ignored it. He had his lost Padawan in his arms. Nothing else mattered for now. He focused on the warmth of her body. Her bright presence in the Force. She's here. She's alive. Nothing else matters now. He felt tears running down his face, but he didn't pay them any mind. His sole focus was on Ahsoka. Alive. Not dead. Very much alive.

After a few minutes he pulled back, but he kept his hands on her shoulders, only letting go for a brief moment to rub his eyes. He held her at arms' length and looked her over. He couldn't deny his surprise. She was wearing some rather elegant robes. That was something he hadn't ever seen her wear before. He was even more surprised to see what had been poking against his head. It was an royal and immaculate looking crown that rested on her head, fitting nicely between her montrals. He stared at it in surprise.

Ahsoka chuckled at his reaction. "Something wrong, Skyguy?" she asked him as she too moved to wipe a few tears from her face.

Anakin just looked at her, unsure of what to say or feel. "I… I'm just…" He shook his head. "How?" he asked softly. "I-I saw… I felt…" He took a shaky breath. "Our bond… It…"

Ahsoka pulled back slightly and lead Anakin over to the seats in the room, nudging him to sit down. "It's a long story, Anakin, but, to put it simply, the Force saved me from the Republic's corruption and the Council's incompetence," she said, trying to keep the disdain out of her voice. "I woke up in a morgue, confused, sick and alone. After the confusion wore off, I only wanted to get out of there. Get away from Coruscant. From everything. I was frightened of what might happen if I was discovered to still be alive. Would they kill me again? I didn't want to find out what they would do to me."

She paused a moment. The memories were still somewhat painful. Anakin remained quiet, giving her the time to compose herself as he tried to process the situation and her words himself. She felt a wild storm of emotions pulsing through him, but outwardly he seemed calm.

"The Force led me safely to a ship. A ship piloted by a crew of Togruta heading home to Shili. I snuck on board and they helped me get here. I was making my way through Corvala when I felt my strength begin to drain. I collapsed outside the house where one of the royal guards then lived, Silara Triball." She smiled, surprising Anakin. "Silara is one of my mother's oldest friends. She and her sister took me in and helped me recover from a heavy sickness. After I had recovered, Silara told me about my family. How my parents were the rulers of Shili and I had a claim of birthright to the throne. After some convincing from them and the Force, I decided to take the throne. Together with the other royal guards, we marched on the palace. We claimed the throne from that horrid usurper and I was crowned officially as queen."

She looked out of the window for a moment, to gaze over the city. "A queen is not something that I had ever expected to be and I have had a lot of doubts about it, but the people seem to think that I'm doing a good job," she admitted with a smile.

Anakin took everything that Ahsoka told him in. He didn't doubt that there were more details to her story, but he wasn't going to force her into sharing it if she didn't want to. He was just happy that she was alive. He was convinced, this person sitting in front of him is his Ahsoka. Not some imposter or cheat, but his Padawan. It was her, no doubt about it. Her presence in the Force was clear and bright. It was enough for him. He was about to reply, but a different voice cut him off.

"A good job? Now that's an understatement," a female voice commented in an amused tone.

Anakin turned to look and saw a Togruta woman with red skin walk into the room. She was smiling, but Anakin did notice that she was wearing armor and carrying several weapons. She carried herself with confidence and it was clear that she was someone you shouldn't mess with.

"The people adore you, Ahsoka," the woman continued. "You saved Shili from ruin at the hands of that bastard. You gave back what he stole from the people. You gave them a reason to smile again. With your guidance, we are now enjoying a time of happiness and prosperity that we haven't known in years. The people love you. Did the recent celebration not show that?"

Anakin turned back to look at Ahsoka and saw that she was blushing heavily. Her lekku were a very dark shade of blue.

Ahsoka coughed lightly. "Anakin, this is Silara. I just told you about her. Silara, this is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker."

Silara gave the Jedi Knight a quick salute and a grateful smile. "It's good to meet you Master Skywalker. Queen Ahsoka has told us a lot of good things about you."

"Uhm… yeah, good to meet you as well," Anakin replied. "And, thank you. Ahsoka told me about all you've done for her."

"It was my pleasure, Master Skywalker," Silara replied. "There was no way that I would just let my late friend's daughter to suffer on her own. And Ahsoka has been a true blessing for Shili." She turned her attention back to Ahsoka. "Sorry to disturb you Ahsoka, I know you probably have a lot to talk about with him, but I think it's best if you take a moment to address the people first."

Ahsoka frowned slightly. "What do you mean? Did something happen?" she asked concerned. She hadn't felt anything through the Force.

"No need for worry, milady," Silara replied. "It's just that… Master Skywalker's arrival on Shili was not exactly… subtle…" She gave a teasing glance at the Jedi Knight. "Word about a Republic Jedi on Shili has spread rather quickly throughout the city. Some people have expressed their concerns about it. We feel it might be best if you make a quick announcement that there's no need for panic. That the Jedi is someone you trust. It could prevent some potentially unpleasant situations."

Ahsoka sighed theatrically and gave a very knowing look in Anakin's direction. "Well, can't say that I'm surprised. Subtlety was never one of his strongest points." She ignored Anakin's protest and stood up. "Alright, I trust you've already set everything up? I'll make a quick announcement. There's no reason for anyone to worry." She looked at Anakin. "Come on Skyguy. I'll take care of this real quick and then I'll show you around a bit. Sound good?"

"Y-yeah, lead on Snips," Anakin replied a bit stunned, still rather struggling to fully wrap his mind around everything. He got up as well and followed the two Togruta out of the room.

;-

That's the end of this chapter.

Obi-Wan called it and Anakin raced to Shili. He just might have wrecked his ship a little, but he doesn't really care at the moment.

In the next chapter Anakin sees more of Ahsoka as queen of her home planet. He'll meet more of the people that have been with her now. That includes a certain Mirialan. How will he react to the one person he finds very responsible for Ahsoka's death?

I'm going to work on my other two stories now. They are now getting into some exciting parts that I planned a long time ago.

I might also copy what I've seen other writers do both on here and on Archive of our Own. A series of short one shots. I have a bunch of short ideas for short scenes that may be fun to write out in-between (that don't really fit in my main stories). I've greatly enjoyed reading such series from others. Doing the same might be fun. I have one small one shot written out already, so if people are interested, I'll happily post it. This is a series that I might also take (small) requests for.

Until next time.