The Padawan
Words can not describe the importance of Ahsoka Tano. She was my father’s Padawan and sister figure. She became a close friend of my mother as well. She was everything a Jedi should be. Selfless. Fearless. Wise beyond her years. She helped shape me into the man I am today. You may be wondering how the Avengers changed her. They didn’t. She changed them.
-An excerpt from The Fight for Justice, by Luke Skywalker
In the office of Chancellor Palpatine stood the man himself alongside Masters Mace Windu, PLO Koon, and Luminara Unduli. They all stared at the hologram of Jabba the Hutt and his translator droid.
“Jabba requests that anyone who can help us find his kidnapped son send any information they have immediately.”
The transmission ended and the Chancellor turned to the others. “We must help Jabba. This is the opportunity we’ve been looking for. The Jedi must rescue Jabba’s son.”
“I don’t like the idea of working with that criminal scum,” Windu said.
“I agree, my friend. But the Hutts control the Outer Rim, and we’ll need their space lanes in order to move our troops. And with the Hutts’ illegal slave trade fully revealed we hold all the cards.”
“Then their slaves’ freedom will be part of the treaty?” Plo asked.
“Rest assured Master Jedi, it will. Now who shall you send on this mission?”
“Master Kenobi and Skywalker have just won the Battle of Christophsis. Lt. Wilson and Captain Rogers are there as well.”
“Splendid! See to it that they receive the mission.”
“Their back~!” Anakin shouted as the droid army marched towards them.
“I told you this victory was too easy! We never should have sent Rhodey and the ship back for supplies!” Obi Wan responded.
“It wasn’t my idea to send the ship back!”
“Hey, you two! Fight now! Argue later!” Sam chastised.
“Second wave, incoming!” Steve shouted to everyone.
“Rex,” Anakin addressed his Captain. “You and your men follow me. Sam, care to tag along?”
“You know it.”
The three ran off with more Clones following them.
“Cody, battle positions!” Kenobi ordered.
“Up to the front!” the Commander ordered.
The droids marched through the street and cannon fire right towards the Republic forces. The massive Tri-Droids fired at them, giving their army cover fire in the process.
The Clones lined up behind some rubble, opening fire on their attackers. Some were gunned down by the droids.
This wasn’t going well at all.
But their resolve was strong as they continued to fight and the cannons gave them support.
Obi Wan and Steve stood in the front deflecting blaster bolts.
“Skywalker and Wilson should have attacked by now~!” Cody stressed.
“Don’t worry! They know the plan!” the Jedi responded.
Said group stood atop a building looking down at the Tri-Droids.
“What’s our plan of attack, Sir?” Rex questioned.
Anakin grinned. “Follow me.”
The Jedi leaped off the building and landed on one of the Tri-Droids. Sam unfolded his wings and flew around the head of another. He pulled out his blasters and began to shoot at the eyes.
The Clones activated their jetpacks and landed at the giant robots’ feet, shooting them from below.
One of the Tri-Droids tried to shoot at Anakin. But before it could, Sam flew around and cut off its barrels with his wings.
Seeing that the plan was going well, Steve and Obi Wan made their move.
“Everyone stay back!” the Super Soldier ordered. “General Kenobi and I will attack! You all give us cover fire!”
“Yes, sir!” They all shouted.
The two ran towards the droids. Steve hurled his shield with it slicing through his opponents until it hit a wall and came right back to him. Kenobi swung his blue blade and cut through any droid that came close to his ally.
Sam threw a thermal detonator at the Tri-Droid and flew away as it exploded.
Anakin jumped down and cut off the leg of the one he stood on. As it fell to the ground he leaped away and cut a droid to pieces as he landed.
Steve and Obi Wan cut through the last of the droids in their way.
Everyone ran forward and took cover behind the downed Tri-Droids.
“We can’t go on like this. The men are getting tired. We need reinforcements,” Sam stated.
“We haven’t been able to get through to the Admiral,” Kenobi responded.
Then to their surprise the droids began to retreat.
“They’re falling back!” Anakin shouted with a smile.
“Looks like the cannons scared them off,” Steve noted.
A shuttle flew over their heads and moved to land in a clearing in the street.
“Looks like help has arrived,” the older Jedi said with a smile. The group started walking to the shuttle. “Our cruiser must be back.”
“Which means we’ll get our reinforcement,” Anakin said with a grin.
“Then it looks like all our problems are solved. Fresh troops, new supplies, and perhaps they brought my new Padawan with them.”
Steve smirked.
“You sure you want to bring a kid into all this?” Sam asked with a frown. “I respect your customs, but that seems like a bit much.”
On a planet in another Galaxy, Tony Stark felt a sudden flash of irritation.
“I spoke to Master Yoda about it,” Kenobi answered. Then he looked at his former student. “You should put in a request for one. You’d make a good teacher.”
Anakin chuckled. “No thanks.”
“Anakin. Teaching is a privilege. And it’s part of a Jedi’s responsibility to train the next generation.”
“A Padawan would just slow me down.”
The shuttle door opens and out walks a young Togruta girl.
“A youngling.”
“And who are you supposed to be?”
“I’m Ahsoka.”
“Jesus, Cap,” Sam whispered. “She doesn’t look older than fourteen.”
“Master Yoda sent me. I was told to tell all of you that you must get back to the Jedi Temple immediately. There’s an emergency.”
“Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re in an emergency right now,” Anakin said.
“We’ve been trying to call for help, but our communications haven’t been useful,” Steve explained.
“Master Yoda hadn’t heard from you, so he sent me to deliver the message.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Sam groaned. “They don’t even know we’re in trouble.”
“Maybe you can relay a signal through the cruiser that just dropped me off?” Ahsoka suggested.
The four of them stared at her.
“Huh. That could work,”
The five soon stood around a holotable. After a minute of waiting the hologram of Master Yoda appeared.
“Master Kenobi. Glad Ahsoka found, you I am.”
“Master Yoda, we are trapped here and are vastly outnumbered. We are in no position to go anywhere or do anything. Our support ships have all been destroyed,” the Jedi Master explained.
“Send reinforcement to you, we will-” he was cut off as his hologram started glitching.
“Master Yoda? Master Yoda?!”
A Clone officer replaced the Grandmaster and explained that they were outnumbered and had to retreat.
“Looks like we’ll have to hold out a little longer,” Skywalker complained.
With nothing left to do, they finally acknowledged the Padawan.
“My apologies young one. It’s time for a proper introduction,” Kenobi said, stepping towards her.
“I’m the new Padawan learner. I’m Ahsoka Tano,” she greeted brightly.
“Captain Steve Rogers.” He stretched out his hand and she shook it.
She has a nice grip.
“LT. Sam Wilson.”
“And I’m Obi Wan Kenobi. Your new Master.”
“I am at your service, Master Kenobi. But I’m afraid I’ve been assigned to Master Skywalker.”
“What?!” said Jedi exclaimed. “No, no, no, no, no! There must be some mistake! He’s the one that wanted the Padawan!”
“No.” Ahsoka crossed her arms. “Master Yoda was very specific. I am assigned to Anakin Skywalker, and he is to supervise my Jedi training.”
Obi Wan and Steve smirked at the Knight, while Sam actually laughed at his confusion.
“But that doesn’t make any sen-”
“We’ll have to sort this out later. It won’t be long before those droids figure out a way around our cannons,” Kenobi interrupted.
“I’ll check on Rex at the lookout post,” Anakin spoke as he walked away.
“Better take her with you.”
Anakin paused, allowing the Togruta to follow him.
“I’ll go too. I wanna see how this plays out,” Sam announced with a mirthful smile.
Kenobi and Rogers watched the three walk away.
“How long before he realizes that this was the plan all along?” Captain America asked with a smirk.
“What’s the status, Rex?” Skywalker asked.
“Quiet for now, Sir. They’re gearing up for another assault,” Rex reported. Then he took notice of Ahsoka. “Who’s the youngling?”
“That’s Skywalker’s new Padawan ,” Sam answered with a wide grin.
“I’m Ahsoka Tano.”
“Sir, I thought you said you’d never have a Padawan?”
“There’s been a mix up. The youngling isn’t with me,” he sighed out.
“Stop calling me that! You’re stuck with me, Skyguy .”
Rex and Sam laughed at the nickname.
“What did you just call me?! Don’t get snippy with me, little one! You know, I’m not sure you’re even old enough to be a Padawan!”
“Well, maybe I’m not! But Master Yoda thinks I am,” Ahsoka smirked.
“Well Master Yoda isn’t with you now. So if you’re ready, you better start proving it. Captain Rex will show you how a little respect can go a long way.”
Rex's smile was replaced by a frown, causing Sam to laugh again. “ Right . Come on, youngling.”
“ Padawan .”
Anakin turned to the Falcon. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Obviously… Skyguy .”
The Jedi groaned and pinched his nose. “You son of a bitch.”
“ Wow . You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
Anakin froze.
Sam frowned upon noticing this. Before he could ask about it he saw a reddish glow in the distance. “What’s that?”
Anakin looked towards the glow and his eyes widened. “Oh no.”
The six of them stood around the holotable and examined the battlefield.
“The shield is somewhere in this area. They’re slowly increasing the diameter, and keeping it just ahead of their troops,” Obi Wan explained.
“The cannons will be sitting ducks,” Sam said.
“If we draw them into the buildings, it might buy us some time,” Steve proposed.
“If that shield is gonna be such a problem, why don’t we just take it out?” Ahsoka inquired.
“Easier said than done,” Rex stated.
“Well, I, for one,” Skywalker coughed. “Agree with her. Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That’s the key.”
“Right, then. Maybe you two can tiptoe through the enemy lines and solve this particular problem together.”
“Three,” Sam corrected. “I have a feeling they’ll need backup.”
“Can do, Master Kenobi,” Ahsoka said with enthusiasm.
“I’ll decide what we do,” Anakin cut in.
“If Steve, Rex and I can engage them here, you three might have a chance to get through their lines, here,” Kenobi pointed out.
“We have to hurry. We’re running out of time,” Rogers said sternly.
“They will march forward under the protection of their shield until they are right on top of our cannons, then they’ll blow them away,” Rex continued.
“We’ll figure out a way. Come on, let’s go,” Ahsoka spoke before walking off.
Anakin and Sam followed after her.
“If we survive this, Snips , you and I are gonna have a talk.”
“They make quite a pair, don’t they, Sirs. You think they have a chance?”
Steve gave his fellow Captain a confident smile. “Definitely."
The three infiltrators stood in a tower watching over the shield. Anakin used binoculars while Sam used his goggles.
“So, what’s the plan?” the Padawan asked.
“I thought you were the one with the plan,” the Knight scoffed.
“No, I’m the one with enthusiasm ! You’re the ones with the experience, which I’m looking forward to learning from.”
Anakin and Sam actually smiled at that.
“Well, first we need to get behind that shield, then get past their tank lines.”
“Why don’t we just go around?”
“That’d take too long,” Sam answered.
“Not if you fly us there.”
Skywalker raised an eyebrow at the Avenger.
Sam groaned. “I hate you sometimes. You know that?”
“That shield is certainly putting a crimp in my day!” Obi Wan shouted as the cannons fired upon the shield with no effect.
“It was worth a try! Tell the men to fall back!” Steve ordered.
Everyone ran to the buildings up ahead and took cover.
Steve knelt down at the ready with Rex and Kenobi as the shield passed over them.
“Focus on the droids and stay away from those tanks,” the Avenger ordered.
Steve and Obi Wan jumped from the tower and landed right in the middle of the droids.
“A Jedi?!” one droid shouted before being cut apart by said Jedi.
The two fought back to back. The Jedi swinging his lightsaber while Captain America smashed droids with his shield.
The Clones came down on ziplines and fired from above.
Droids were dropping like flies.
But there were too many. More and more just kept coming.
The Republic forces were too few, so they ran back to the buildings.
“Where are the General and Captain Rogers?!” Rex asked his men while firing at his opponents.
“I don’t know, sir!” a Clone answered.
The droids kept marching and were now only a few feet away.
“Fall back!” Rex ordered.
The Clones retreated into the buildings while the droids marched in pursuit.
In a courtyard one Clone was being punched by a B2 until a familiar shield flew right through the droid, and cut it in half.
The Jedi and Avenger leaped from above and landed in the courtyard.
More droids fired upon the two.
Steve corkscrewed through the air and hurled his shield at them. Some were cut to pieces. The rest were smashed when Kenobi force pushed the remains of other droids at them.
There was one droid left. But before it could fire, Rex shot it from behind.
“They’re right behind us, sirs! They wiped out half of my unit. We had to pull out of there.”
There was an explosion as a tank blast blew a massive hole in a nearby building. It was big enough for the tanks to get through.
“The shield has almost reached the heavy cannons,” Obi Wan said.
“There’s too many even for me!” Steve shouted as he stood in front of retreating, blocking blaster bolts.
“Move your troops back to the heavy cannons. Do everything you can to protect them. We’ll delay the droids.”
“But…”
“That is an order, Captain!”
Rex and his troops did as instructed and now Steve and Obi Wan faced the incoming Separatists alone.
Falcon flew towards the shield generator while holding on to both Anakin and Ahsoka.
“This is far enough,” he said as he landed a few yards from the generator. “You two are way heavier than you look.”
“Whatever. Let’s just set these charges,” Anakin snarked.
“Come on!” Ahsoka began to move towards the generator.
Sam grabbed her arm. “Hold it.” His goggles showed a large number of droids underground. “This area is littered with sensor mines. We trip on one of those, it'll activate droids waiting under them.”
“So what do we do?” the Padawan asked.
“Give me the charges.”
Ahsoka handed him the bag and he flew the rest of the way. About a minute later he came back.
“We’re good to go.” He grinned at the teen. “Care to do the honors?”
She wordlessly pressed the button on her wrist and the generator exploded.
They watched as the red glow receded.
The victory was short lived however, as the flying debris crashed into the sensor mines.
A vast array of beeping sounds were heard. In the next few seconds, all the massive droids (that looked like barrels with legs) rose from the ground.
Sam flew into the air and fired upon the droids with his blasters. The Jedi withdrew their lightsabers and started cutting through the droids.
One droid swung its large arm down at them. They jumped away, going in separate directions.
Ahsoka had managed to evade the droids completely and was now a good distance away from the fight.
Sam continued to fire from above, rising up and swooping down when necessary.
Anakin had been pushed back against a massive rock. All the droids appeared to be attacking him. And he was struggling.
Ahsoka noticed that there was a hole in the rock, and got an idea.
“Skyguy! Don’t move!”
She reached out with the Force and pulled the rock down.
“What?” Anakin turned to see the rock falling in his direction. “No, no, no!”
He covered his head and closed his eyes. He heard a loud thud and looked to see that he stood in the hole, and that the droids were all crushed.
Sam landed and took in the situation. “Well, that one way to do it.”
“Ugh! You could have gotten me killed !” Anakin scolded.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“I had everything under control!”
“I just saved your life!”
Steve didn’t quite know how he got here. One moment he was fighting countless droids and the next he was sitting down with Obi Wan and the Separatist general, drinking tea. He didn’t think he’d even seen tea since the War.
The image of Peggy suddenly flashed through his mind. He fought the urge not to take out his compass and look at the picture of her.
Steve took the cup up to his lips and drank from it slowly. Obi Wan stirred his with a spoon. Loathsom drank his tea in one swig.
Obi Wan finished stirring his tea and took a sip. He let out a satisfied sigh.
Steve was trying his best not to laugh at his antics.
“And, of course, once you’ve taken custody of my troops, arrangements will need to be made for their food and shelter. Tell me, do you have enough supplies to-”
“Enough of this! You are stalling !” Loathsom point at the Jedi accusingly.
“Nonsense,” Kenobi lied. “General, there are numerous details to be discussed.” He raised his drink and winked.
The Separatist wasn’t having any of it and flipped over the makeshift table.
“Seize them!”
B2 droid grabbed them both by each arm and raised them into the air.
“Unless you call off your troops right now, I will have no choice but to destroy you!”
Steve looked at the sky and smirked. “You might wanna look up.”
The Jedi and Separatist both looked at the sky to see that the shield was receding.
Kenobi smiled and jumped out of the droids’ grip and force pushed them against each other.
Steve grabbed his captors’ arms and ripped them off. Then he ran to Loathsom and put him in a headlock.
The droids tried to shoot them but Loathsom ordered them to stand down.
“Hey, Cap?” Steve heard in his earpiece. “Your reinforcements have arrived.”
“Your timing couldn’t be better Rhodey. Have at it with those droids.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Republic forces looked up to see several Accalamators heading their way. They also saw a familiar man in a black armored suit.
“It’s War Machine!” many Clones shouted in joy.
“Sir, should we fire the cannons?”
“No,” Rex answered. “I wanna see this.”
“Hey, FRIDAY. Play Run Through The Jungle.”
“Yes, sir.”
The music of the song began to play in Rhodey’s helmet.
“What happened to the shield,” one droid asked.
Whoa, thought it was a nightmare
He flew in and several bombs dropped from his suit and burst into a massive fireball that engulfed the first wave of droids.
Lord it was so true
The Avenger hovered in the air and launched countless missiles at the tanks.
Told me don’t go walking slow
Death is on the loose
Every tank that received a missile was promptly destroyed.
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Rhodey landed in front of the Clones. They cheered in joy and soon they were all shouting “ War Machine! War Machine! War Machine! ”
“ That’s how you scrap Clankers!” Rex exclaimed.
“Good to see you, Rex,” the armored Avenger greeted, shaking the Clone’s hand.
“You came at the right time. They were right on top of us.”
“You know, you could have taken them out with those cannons.”
“It’s more fun to watch you do it,” Rex admitted.
“Well then, you owe me a drink when we get back to Coruscant.”
“Sure thing. What drink?”
“Corellian brandy. It’s the closest thing to bourbon in this Galaxy.”
Anakin sat down next to Ahsoka. Sam stood a few feet away, watching the exchange.
“You’re reckless, little one. You never would have made it as Obi Wan’s Padawan.” Ahsoka closed her eyes and bowed her head. Anakin turned to her with a small smile. “You might make it as mine.”
Her eyes widened as she turned to her new Master. They both shared a smile.
“Come on,” Skywalker said as he walked towards an incoming gunship.
“I have to admit, Kid. You’ve kinda grown on me,” Sam said with a smile.
The Padawan smiled back.
They boarded the gunship and were met with Rex. “Great job, sirs. You too, Kid,” he said.
Ahsoka was beaming.
As they flew towards the Republic forces, they saw down below that Rhodey, Kenobi and Rogers were speaking with Grandmaster Yoda.
They exited upon landing and approached the three.
“Master Obi Wan. Master Yoda. Captain Rogers,” Anakin greeted.
Steve nodded then turned to Sam. “How’d it go?”
“A little rough, but it worked out.”
Yoda looked at Skywalker. “Trouble, you have, with your new Padawan, I hear.”
The Master and Apprentice shared a look.
“I was explaining the situation to Master Yoda,” Obi Wan stated.
“Really.”
“If not ready for a Padawan, you are, then perhaps, Obi Wan, we can…”
“No, wait a minute,” The Knight cut in. “I admit Ahsoka is a little rough around the edges. But with a great deal of training, and patience , she might amount to something.”
Steve and Obi Wan grinned.
“Then go with you, she will, to the Teth system.”
“Teth?” Anakin questioned. “That’s Wild Space. The droid army isn’t even in that sector.”
“Kidnapped, Jabba the Hutt’s son has been.”
Skywalker’s eyes narrowed. “You want me to rescue Jabba’s son?”
“Look, Anakin,” Steve began. “I get it. The Hutts are criminals who have enslaved millions. But we need their allegiance to help our men in the Outer Rim. And if they’re our allies, then it should make freeing their slaves a lot easier.”
Anakin sighed deeply before seemingly calming down.
“Negotiate the treaty with Jabba, Obi Wan will. Find the renegades that hold Jabba’s son, your mission will be, Skywalker.”
The present Avengers shared a look.
“I’ll go with Obi Wan,” Rhodey announced.
“And we’ll go with Anakin and Ahsoka,” Steve said.
“I’ll find Rex and get the troops organized,” Ahsoka said before running off.
“Don’t worry, Anakin. Teach her everything I taught you and she’ll turn out fine.”
“You know, something makes me think that this was your idea from the start.” Then he turned to the Captain. “And you were in on it.”
“I don’t see you complaining,” Steve smirked.
Anakin walked off with Cap and Sam towards a gunship.
Kenobi turned to the leader of his Order. “Let’s just hope Anakin is ready for this responsibility.”
“Ready, he is, to teach an apprentice. To let go of his pupil, a greater challenge it will be.”
Back On Earth
Bucky and Carol eyed each other.
“So mind control…that sucks,” the Winter Soldier commented.
Carol snorted. “Tell me about it.”
“What was your’s like?”
She hesitated. “They gave me amnesia and trained me in one of their special op units. Convinced me I was fighting for the right side.”
“How’d you get out?”
“I heard an audio recording of me fighting my CO before they took me. What about you?”
Bucky sighed. “They had me in cryo every now and then. When I was out for too long they gave my brain an electric shock. It hurt like hell. I couldn’t do anything except follow orders. I only remembered who I was because of Steve.”
“I get that. My best friend helped me too. She’s still alive.”
“Are you gonna see her?”
“We’re meeting up on Saturday.”
Barnes nodded.
“How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Deal with what you did?”
Danvers paused. “I try to use my powers to help people instead of hurting them so some Empire can benefit. All people like you and me can do is take it one day at a time, and use our skills the way we want to.”
Bucky sat still, taking in the words.
“Yeah…just take it one day at a time.”