2 BBY – Rebel Base, Atollon

In the dimly lit training room of the Rebel base on Atollon, Ahsoka Tano and the Seventh Sister circled each other, sabers ignited. The hum of energy filled the space as they had been sparring for over half an hour, both pushing their limits.

Ahsoka paused to catch her breath and studied her opponent. "I sense you still rely on anger when you fight," she observed, her tone calm but pointed.

Seventh Sister narrowed her eyes, lowering her blade. "In a fight, anger is all I know. All that ever fueled me. Converting emotions into power… that's what made me stronger than I ever was as a Jedi."

Ahsoka gave a small, knowing smile. "So you were told. But you no longer fight alongside the Sith. You've spent most of your life consumed by the dark side, and the teachings of the Jedi were ripped from you at a young age."

Seventh Sister's jaw clenched. "The Sith kept me on a leash for most of my life. One of their former pupils almost killed me." Her mind wandered to Ezra Bridger—the boy who had saved her when she least expected it. He was young, reckless, but there was something about him. A determination, a backbone. He represented a movement that truly believed in freedom.

Freedom.

It was a concept she never fully understood. Her parents had handed her over to the Jedi when she was barely old enough to speak. The temple had been her only home, the only world she knew as a child. Friends? She had none. Acquaintances came and went like the passing of seasons.

After Order 66, she'd fled with her master to a remote part of the planet they were stationed on. That's when she first felt it—the cold, suffocating darkness. When Vader struck her master down, her fury had exploded. She'd never felt so powerful, so alive. Clone after clone fell before her blade, the rush of power intoxicating. And when Vader finally stopped her, forcing her to the ground, she'd felt that approval in his eyes.

"Restrain her. She is to be captured alive."

From that moment, she had served the dark side, her authority in the Empire carved from fear and violence. It kept her going, but it also chained her, just as the Jedi had.

Ahsoka's voice broke her from her reverie. "You used negative emotions to fuel your power. But lately, it's the positive ones—like protecting Ezra—that have helped you inch back toward the light."

Seventh Sister frowned. "It's not like that with Bridger." She lied, but it was half-hearted. She couldn't admit the truth to Tano. "Besides, the Jedi taught us to reject emotions, not use them as power. We were supposed to be cold, defensive. I'm not going back to that."

Ahsoka tilted her head thoughtfully, recalling her time as Anakin Skywalker's padawan. She knew better than most that the greatest Jedi—those who were loved and respected—had always struggled with emotion. Especially Anakin. His love for Padmé, for those he held dear, had driven him to extraordinary lengths. His emotions had been his strength, even when they led him to ruin.

"You remind me of my master," Ahsoka said, her voice distant. "Anakin Skywalker. What do you think of him?"

Seventh Sister blinked. Anakin Skywalker. The "Hero With No Fear." Her master had always spoken of him with admiration and caution—reckless but effective, one of the most successful generals of the Clone Wars. She remembered hearing stories about him throughout the galaxy, tales of his bravery and the loyalty he inspired in his men.

"I respected him," Seventh admitted slowly. "He wasn't like the other Jedi. He got things done. The Council may have frowned on his methods, but the galaxy loved him for it. He had a presence, something the Jedi Council didn't."

She paused, thinking deeply. "In a way, he was the only thing holding the Jedi Order together toward the end. His popularity kept unrest from boiling over, even after the temple bombing. He was... admired."

Ahsoka's eyes softened. She had never thought of Anakin in that way before, but Seventh Sister was right. Anakin's presence had kept faith alive in the Order, even when the cracks began to show. "Anakin loved deeply. He cared about those in his circle, and he'd risk everything to protect them. His emotions gave him power—not for selfish gain, but to fight for those he loved."

Seventh Sister scoffed. "And your point is?"

Ahsoka exhaled softly, recognizing the impatience. "My point is that you don't have to shut off your emotions to be strong. You can use them for good, to protect those you care about and to free others like you—like us—from the shackles of the Empire."

The word love echoed in Seventh Sister's mind. Love. Did she love Ezra? She wasn't sure. But he had saved her, and he was the closest thing to freedom she had ever known. She shook her head slightly. "I've never had a choice, Tano. I was forced into the Jedi, then the Empire, and now the Rebellion. Every time, it's someone else's decisions that decide my fate. I just want to be left alone, far away from all of this."

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow, sensing more beneath the surface. "Alone? I doubt that."

Seventh Sister stammered, feeling her vulnerability exposed. "I mean, I enjoy… having my fun with him. And remember, he saved me."

Ahsoka nodded, recognizing that Seventh Sister wasn't ready to confront her feelings fully. "You've been on the defense this whole time," Ahsoka said as their sparring resumed. Seventh's movements had grown sloppy, distracted by thoughts of her end goal—peace, far from the conflict. Peace, with Ezra.

Ahsoka suddenly halted, raising a hand. "Stop," she said firmly. "You're distracted."

Seventh Sister deflected, eager to change the subject. "How did you turn your sabers white? I know you got them from an Inquisitor, but how did you… unbleed them?"

Ahsoka gave her a long look before answering. "I had to let go. Let go of the anger, the betrayal, the hatred I had for the Empire. Only then could I purify the crystals, free them from the dark side's corruption."

Seventh Sister looked down, feeling a familiar weight of guilt settle over her.

"I believe in redemption, Spectre Seven," Ahsoka continued. "But redemption isn't about forgetting. It's about fighting for something better. Fighting for those who need protecting."

Then, unexpectedly, Ahsoka smiled. "I'll help you heal your crystals when you're ready."

Seventh Sister looked up, surprised. Ahsoka turned to leave, tidying up the training room.

Before she exited, Ahsoka glanced back, a teasing glint in her eye. "Oh, and… have fun with Ezra tonight."

Seventh Sister rolled her eyes, but a small, reluctant smile crept onto her face.