Chapter 17
Ahsoka had visited the medbay every day for the past week. It was a busy place—clones were getting cleared and immediately replaced by new ones coming in for surgery. The average recovery time seemed to be around three to four days, provided nothing went wrong.
There were no notable changes in the clones, but Ahsoka did notice that some of them seemed to have slightly amplified personality traits. Or maybe Jesse had just been lying down for too long and had too much energy to burn.
That was also where Obi-Wan found her. His voice carried an urgency that immediately caught her attention.
“Ahsoka, please get ready. We’re leaving in an hour. An emergency signal was detected in the Outer Rim.”
Emergency signals weren’t unusual—this was a war, after all. “What’s so special about this one?” she asked.
Obi-Wan’s expression darkened. “It’s an old Jedi code. One we haven’t heard in hundreds of years.”
That was suspicious. “Isn’t it possible that it’s—”
“A trap?” Obi-Wan finished for her. “Yes. That’s why we need to move quickly. And we won’t be going alone.”
Prepared as always.
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
There wasn’t much to pack—just her brown Jedi cloak, just in case. She grabbed it from her room and hurried toward the hangar, where Obi-Wan and Rex were already waiting beside a small ship.
“Seems like we’re only missing Skywalker now,” Ahsoka noted with a grin. Punctuality wasn’t exactly her Master’s strong suit.
“I’m right behind you, Snips,” came Anakin’s voice from the entrance she’d just passed.
“Still, I was on time. You weren’t.”
“Can you two discuss that on board?” Obi-Wan cut in, sounding exasperated.
They both fell silent, following the older Jedi onto the ship. Moments later, they took off into the sky.
“We will meet the frigate at the last known coordinates of the signal,” Rex explained. “Admiral Yularen has command of the fleet.”
Ahsoka stared out the viewport—and saw nothing.
“So… we should be seeing them now, right?” she asked.
The others followed her gaze.
“Exactly…” Rex muttered, frowning as he quickly began typing into the console to establish a connection. Seconds later, the flickering blue form of Admiral Yularen appeared.
“Where are you, Admiral?” Anakin asked.
“We’re at the meeting point. The question is—where are you?”
Anakin’s expression tightened. “We’re at the meeting point.”
“That’s not possible. We’ve sc—wh—rea—” The hologram flickered, then cut out entirely.
Rex frantically worked the controls, but the connection was gone.
“Something’s not right here,” Obi-Wan murmured, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
“Yeah, something like that planet?” Anakin pointed out.
“What planet?” Obi-Wan asked, brow furrowing—until he too saw it. A massive planet had suddenly appeared before them, seemingly out of nowhere.
“I guess it’s time to strap in,” Ahsoka suggested, tightening her harness.
“Please land safely, Skyguy.”
Of course, that wouldn’t happen.
The moment they entered the atmosphere, the ship began to shake violently.
“Anakin, what’s happening?” Obi-Wan demanded over the noise.
“I don’t know!”
“I asked you for a safe landing!” Ahsoka shouted.
“I’m trying, Snips!”
Ahsoka gritted her teeth and did the only thing she could—hold onto the armrests and hope.
Suddenly, the ship jerked forward.
She was thrown violently against the panel in front of her.
Not again, was all she could think before everything went black.
The first thing Ahsoka felt after waking up was pressure. It was as if something was pushing against her from all sides, trying to break into her mind. She blinked her eyes open.
Everyone else seemed to be awake as well—and from the looks of it, no one was injured.
“I advise you to put up mental shields,” Obi-Wan told her. “The Force is too strong here.”
She did as instructed, and immediately, the pressure in her head eased.
Unclipping her seatbelt, she accepted the helping hand Rex offered her and pulled herself to her feet.
As they stepped outside, Ahsoka let her gaze wander over the strange landscape. Towering trees with gnarled roots stretched toward the sky, their thick vines draping across the rocky terrain. Massive, unfamiliar flowers bloomed in clusters, their petals shifting colors as if reacting to their presence.
“Where are we?” she asked, scanning the alien environment. She didn’t recognize this place from any holobooks she had read.
“I don’t know,” Obi-Wan admitted, frowning. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Ahsoka noticed a glow. She spun around just in time to see a woman—dressed in flowing white robes—standing a short distance away.
Where in the kriff did she come from?
A strange aura of light radiated from her, as if she were glowing from within.
“Who are you?” Anakin asked, stepping protectively in front of Ahsoka and the others.
The woman didn’t answer. Instead, she studied him intently, then murmured, “You really are him. You must come with me. Quickly.”
Even her voice sounded… otherworldly.
“Him?” Obi-Wan pressed, taking a more diplomatic approach. “I’m afraid we don’t understand. And where exactly are we supposed to follow you?”
“There is no time for explanations,” she said urgently. “Follow me. The nights are dangerous here.”
Nights? Ahsoka glanced up at the sky. It was bright, no sign of the sun setting. Actually, no sun at all.
What kind of planet is this?
“We don’t even know who you are,” Anakin protested.
“Justfollow me.”
Obi-Wan sighed. “I don’t think she’s going to tell us anything.” He turned to the others. “What do you say? Should we?”
Ahsoka hesitated, then nodded slowly.
Not like they had another option.
Keeping up with the woman was difficult. She was fast, and the terrain was rough—jagged rocks, twisted roots, and uneven pathways made every step treacherous.
Currently, they were traversing a narrow path with a steep mountain wall on one side and a sheer drop on the other. Ahsoka wasn’t afraid of heights, but she really didn’t want to look down right now.
As they walked, she noticed something strange.
The plants were… changing.
Flowers that had been open just moments ago were curling shut. Leaves darkened, their vibrant greens fading into deep, muted shades.
At the same time, she felt the pressure return—seeping slowly through her mental shields.
Above them, the sky darkened. Heavy clouds gathered on the horizon, shifting and twisting unnaturally.
“We need to move faster,” the woman commanded.
“Because we’re walking so slow right now,” Ahsoka mumbled sarcastically.
Obi-Wan chuckled lightly.
Then, everything changed in an instant.
One moment, the sky was clear—the next, torrential rain poured down in sheets, drenching them within seconds.
“The sky was clear just moments ago,” Obi-Wan remarked, echoing Ahsoka’s own thoughts.
A quiet vibration echoing through her montrals made her freeze.
She held out an arm, signaling Rex and Obi-Wan to stop.
Something was wrong.
She opened her mouth to call out to Anakin, who was walking a few steps ahead—
Too late.
A deafening crack split the air.
The mountainside above them collapsed.
“Watch out!” Anakin shouted, shoving the woman out of the way just before massive boulders came crashing down.
Dust and debris filled the air, and when it settled—
Anakin was gone.
A jagged wall of rock now separated him from the rest of the group.
“Master! Are you okay?!” Ahsoka called out, her voice echoing through the canyon.
No response.
“Anakin?” Obi-Wan tried, his voice filled with growing concern.
Nothing.
Then Obi-Wan’s expression darkened. “…I can’t feel him through the Force.”
Ahsoka’s stomach dropped.
She tried reaching out, too—but all she felt was nothing.
“It must be the planet,” she said quickly, trying to push down the rising panic. “The Force is just… weird here.”
But deep down, she wasn’t sure she believed that.
They finally decided to return to the ship and wait for Anakin. Rex led their small group, his hands resting on both of his blasters as his eyes scanned the surroundings.
Suddenly, he froze.
“What is it, Rex?” Ahsoka asked, tensing.
“…Nothing. I mean—the ship.” His voice was tight. “It’s gone.”
Ahsoka’s stomach twisted as she stepped forward, inspecting the small clearing. No, this was the spot where they had landed. She was sure of it.
And yet—there was nothing there.
“I don’t get this place,” she muttered.
As night fell, they built a small campfire. Ahsoka noticed something strange—the darker the sky became, the more the plants around them withered.
Leaves curled inward, turning brittle and dry before crumbling into dust. The ground, once covered in thick greenery, slowly became barren.
It was as if the life of this place was somehow tied to the daylight.
Ahsoka chose not to think too much about it.
She had bigger problems.
The pressure in her head was growing again—worse than before. It was like something was pressing against her skull, trying to break through.
Obi-Wan must have noticed her discomfort.
“Breathe in and out,” he instructed gently. “The Force is strong here, but you can use it. Channel it—fuel your shield with it, rather than blocking it entirely.”
Ahsoka hesitated.
She wasn’t sure how much of the Force she could let in without it overwhelming her completely. But she tried, focusing on controlling the flow, only allowing it in small amounts.
Slowly, the pressure began to fade.
She opened her eyes.
Rex and Obi-Wan were already asleep.
Shouldn’t someone be keeping watch?
Maybe she should take the first shift—
But her body wasn’t listening.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t force them open.
And then—
“Ahsoka.”
Her breath caught.
Someone was calling her name.
“Ahsoka.”
The voice was unfamiliar—yet somehow… not.
“Ahsoka.”
She finally managed to open her eyes.
The fire still burned in front of her, crackling softly in the quiet night.
But something was wrong.
Inside the flames, a figure took shape—a Togrutan woman.
She was tall, with orange-brown skin, white facial markings, and blue-and-white headtails.
Ahsoka’s heart pounded.
She looks… familiar.
And then it hit her.
She wasn’t just looking at a figure.
She was looking at herself.
“I am,” the figure confirmed.
Ahsoka stiffened. Can she read my thoughts?
“I can.” The older version of herself stared at her with deep concern. “I am you. And you are me.”
Ahsoka swallowed. “…Why are you here?”
The woman’s expression darkened. “I am here to warn you.”
Ahsoka let out a breath. “Warn me about what? War? I’ve been through it.” Her voice was sharp, laced with frustration.
“No.”
The woman’s voice hardened—and suddenly, her eyes blazed with anger.
“I am here to warn you that you need to stop digging into secrets. It’s dangerous. You need to run. Go—leave the Order and hide!”
Ahsoka’s jaw clenched. “No! Why would I?” she shot back. “I have friends here. Family. People who can protect me. And I can protect myself.”
The woman’s expression twisted into something almost… desperate.
“They will betray you.”
Ahsoka flinched.
“No,” she snapped. “My Master would never.”
The woman’s eyes darkened.
“You don’t know him,” she whispered. “Get away before he can hurt you. Get away before anyone can hurt you.”
Ahsoka huffed, shaking her head. Whoever this was—it wasn’t her.
She would never leave the Jedi.
Not now.
Not when she was so close to uncovering the truth.
“How can you even know that?” she challenged. “I thought you were me.”
The woman raised her arm.
“I am you,” she said—her voice almost sad.
“I am your future.”
And then—
She snapped her arm downward—
And vanished into the flames.
Rex had wanted to stay awake—at least until Ahsoka finished meditating so they could decide who would keep watch.
But sleep had overcome him so suddenly that he hadn't been able to stop it.
"Captain."
A voice broke through the haze.
His eyes snapped open, his hand already on his blaster—
And he found himself staring into his own face.
No.
Not his—but another clone.
Rex tensed. “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
The other clone tilted his head slightly.
“I’m Starshot,” he answered.
Rex frowned. Starshot.
Ahsoka had killed him.
“You should be dead,” Rex said, his grip tightening on his blaster.
“I am,” Starshot replied. “But at the same time, nothing really dies. We’re all here.”
He walked back and forth in front of Rex, his movements unnervingly casual. Then, he stopped—standing next to Ahsoka.
“She doesn’t have it easy,” Starshot remarked.
“No.” Rex’s voice was firm. “But she’s strong. Stronger than most people I’ve ever met.”
Starshot gave him a small, knowing smile. “I know. But still… you have an important decision to make. If you stand by her side, you’re choosing a hard path.”
Rex’s eyes narrowed. “And if I don’t?”
Starshot’s expression was unreadable. “I don’t know. It might be easier—but I have a feeling you won’t be happy either.”
Rex exhaled slowly. “I’m just following my orders.”
Starshot’s eyes flickered toward Ahsoka.
“…And yet, there are some decisions you have to make for yourself.” His voice softened. “If you choose to follow her… please. Keep her safe.”
Rex swallowed.
“Of course.”
That was his duty.
To protect her. To protect his brothers.
To protect the Jedi. To protect the galaxy.
He blinked—
And Starshot was gone.
Instead, he found himself staring into Ahsoka’s wide, confused eyes.
“You had a dream too?” she whispered.
Rex nodded.
“So did I,” came Obi-Wan’s deep voice from across the fire.
Ahsoka hugged her knees to her chest, staring into the flames. “I don’t understand anything here,” she murmured. “I just hope Anakin is okay.”
None of them slept after that.
Ahsoka had tried to doze off, but her body refused to relax. She sat awake, watching the plants slowly return to life—as if they were waking up.
Then—
A voice cut through the quiet.
“Brave of you to stay outside.”
All three of them jumped to their feet.
Blasters and lightsabers ignited in unison, pointed directly at the man standing only meters away.
His skin was white, marked with two deep red stripes running down his face.
But the scariest thing—
Were his eyes.
Pitch black, with only a single red glow at the center of each abyss.
He didn’t flinch at the sight of their weapons.
“I thought my sister warned you that the nights here are dangerous.”
Ahsoka’s grip tightened on her saber.
“That woman was your sister?” she demanded. “Then you must know where she took Anakin.”
“To the Father, of course.”
To theFather.
Sure. That makes total sense.
“Stop toying with us.” Ahsoka’s patience was running thin. She stepped forward, her lightsaber pointed directly at his chest. “Tell us wherehe is.”
The man simply lifted his hand—
And with a movement of his hand deacticated her blade.
Ahsoka stared.
That wasn’t—
That wasn’t possible.
“What do you want from us?” Obi-Wan asked, voice carefully measured.
The man’s lips curled slightly. “I can’t tell you.”
Ahsoka opened her mouth to argue—
But suddenly his form shifted.
His body expanded, arms stretching into enormous wings, skin darkening into leathery black skin.
Within seconds, he had transformed into a monstrous creature—a massive, bat-like being, hovering above them.
A shrill cry pierced the air.
Ahsoka’s heart leapt into her throat as she turned—
A giant white gryphon was racing toward them.
The women from before.
She was coming to—
Ahsoka didn’t even finish the thought before the gryphon lunged at Obi-Wan, massive claws closing around his arm.
“Obi-Wan!” Ahsoka shouted wanting to run to him.
But dark claws grabbed her before she could do anything.
She barely had time to struggle before she was ripped off the ground.
"Let go of me!" she shouted, twisting in its grasp.
Below, she saw Rex desperately firing at the creatures—
But his shots had no effect.
The wind howled in her ears as they soared higher and higher.
"Wait there for us!" she shouted down to Rex, her voice nearly lost in the storm. "We’ll come back!"
Hopefully.
Ahsoka didn’t dare struggle anymore.
If the bat let go of her now, she would plummet to her death.
But there was something else—something worse.
She could feel her strength draining, as if the creature was siphoning her energy straight out of her body.
By the time they landed—in what looked like a vast arena—her limbs were too weak to even hold herself up.
She hung limply in the bat’s grasp.
It released one of her arm.
Ahsoka’s knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, the other claw stopping her from falling flat on her face.
She took a shaky breath and forced herself to look up.
Ahead of her, the gryphon still held Obi-Wan tightly in its claws.
But what caught her attention—
Was Anakin.
He stood in the middle of the arena, next to an old man in a strange hat—probably the Father the Son had mentioned.
The man was speaking to him, his expression serious.
Anakin looked torn.
Like he had to make some kind of huge decision.
Usually, Ahsoka would have no problem hearing what was being said—
But right now, all she could hear was static.
"Whatever he says, Master—don’t do it!" she shouted, the only warning she could think to give.
Whatever these people wanted, it for sure is not good for us.
She watched as Anakin slowly stepped forward, stretching his arms out to either side.
The air shifted.
The bat’s grip on her flexed muscels moving as if he was fighting something.
Then the grip loosened.
Ahsoka felt her strength rushing back into her.
She took advantage of the moment—twisting sharply and breaking free.
As she moved, her shoulder grazed the sharp edges of the bat’s claws, leaving a thin red scratch just above her collarbone.
She barely noticed.
Turning back, she saw the Son—now in his human form—collapsed to the ground, his body trembling as if he was bowing before Anakin.
On the other side, the Daughter had fallen to her knees as well.
Ahsoka didn’t waste another second.
She ran straight to her Master.
"Are you hurt?" Anakin asked the moment she reached him, his tone filled with concern.
"Just a little scratch," she reassured him, absently rubbing the wound on her neck. "Nothing to worry about."
The Father cleared his throat.
"Do you understand now?" he asked Anakin. "You must take my place. Only you can control them."
Anakin shook his head.
"No," he said firmly. "I’d like to leave now, please. You promised us a way back after I took your test."
For a moment, the Father looked deeply sad.
And, Ahsoka could swear, a hint of fear flickered in his eyes.
"Very well," he finally said. "I will return your ship. You’ll find it where your friend is waiting."
On their way back, Anakin tried to explain everything he had experienced.
Apparently, these people were some sort of Guardians of the Force.
The Son represented the dark side, the Daughter the light, and the Father kept the balance between them.
He had wanted Anakin to take his place.
Ahsoka absently rubbed the scratch on her neck. It itched slightly.
"That’s some bantashit in my eyes," she muttered.
The words had barely left her mouth before she froze.
Had she just, had she really just said that?
"Ahsoka," Obi-Wan scolded, his tone disapproving. "Please watch your language. Don’t encourage Anakin’s bad habits."
Ahsoka’s heart pounded.
I didn’t want to say that.
She tried to open her mouth, to explain.
But no words came out.
She couldn’t speak.
Her throat felt tight.
What the kriff is going on?
The clearing was just as they had left it, except for one thing.
Their ship was back.
„It just appeared again, generals,“ Rex greeted them.
Ahsoka let out a breath of relief. Finally, they could leave this place.
„No hello for me? Just the generals?“ she heard herself say, her voice sharp with sarcasm.
Her stomach dropped.
No. No, I didn’t mean to say that.
Rex turned to her, his brow furrowed in concern and confusion.
Ahsoka wanted to apologize, to explain but once again, she had no control over her mouth.
„She’s probably just a bit tired from everything, don’t worry,“ Anakin muttered, throwing her a worried glance.
„Let’s go home,“ Obi-Wan suggested.
They all boarded the ship.
Ahsoka chose to stay in the back of the hangar.
The further she was from the others, the less chance there was of saying something she didn’t mean.
Please let this stop once we leave this force-forsaken planet.
Leaning against the wall, she watched the others in the cockpit.
Rex turned toward her.
Her breath caught.
No. Please, don’t. I don’t know what I’ll say.
But he was already walking over.
„I wanted to apologize for before, Commander,“ he said, his voice genuine. „It was my mistake not to include you.“
Ahsoka’s heart ached.
It wasn’t his fault! I wasn’t even upset!
She wanted to tell him that.
But instead:
„Yeah, you better apologize, soldier. I’m still your superior,“ she heard herself snap.
No. No, no, no!
She saw shock in Rex’s eyes.
Ahsoka wanted to take it back, to say anything else.
“Is everything alright” he asked concerned.
Her mouth kept moving on its own.
„That’s not your thing to worry about. Actually, you don’t even have the right to talk to me.“
Stop, please stop!
„What’s even the point? Aren’t you all just expendable? Isn’t that what you always say?“
Tears burned in her eyes.
I would never say that.
She saw Rex posture stiffen.
Saw the hurt flicker through his eyes.
He turned away.
Didn’t say a word.
Just walked off.
Ahsoka tried to call out to him, to beg him to understand.
But nothing came out.
Suddenly cold air slammed into her back.
Claws dug into her shoulders.
The Son.
He had her again.
She tried to scream, but no sound came.
She fought, kicking her boots against the metal floor, anything to get someone’s attention.
And it worked.
The others turned, but it was already too late.
Her feet left the ground.
She was being dragged away. Flying throught the dark sky dangeling in the grasp of the Son.
Her power was draining fast, just like before.
The last thing she heard before they were too far away was Anakin, screaming her name.
Rex stood frozen, watching in horror as Ahsoka was taken.
He should have, Could have, Done something.
But he hadn’t even moved.
Next to him, Anakin was shouting, demanding the Son to bring Ahsoka back.
But Rex barely heard him.
Ahsoka’s words still echoed in his mind.
They hurt.
But somewhere, deep inside something told him that wasn’t her.
It couldn’t be.