Chapter Text
It was dark.
The darkness wasn't unwelcoming or welcoming, but it surrounded her physically and in spirit.
How did I get here - Ahsoka thought. Her mind and memories were blank.
Until a gold light began to envelope the black as certain memories came flooding back.
"Koh-to-yah Little 'Soka."
"Koh-to-yah Master Plo."
Some of Ahsoka's earliest memories were of her father-figure-like mentor starting from her initial trip to the temple. As a child, Ahsoka didn't always fit in. At the age of three, she was older than most of the children brought to the temple, the other toddlers didn't like her as much.
"Don't worry Little 'Soka," the voice of her oldest friend comforted her as he patted her back gently, easing her tears, "They simply are not as familiar with you, this will change with time."
This much was true. As Ahsoka got older, other younglings were not unkind with her. However, Ahsoka was also aware that she did not fit in with her age group. Even at the young age of 8 she was more advanced that those her age, though Master Plo always assured her that this was natural due to her strong connection to the living force. Despite these differences, Ahsoka was friendly though perhaps had too much attitude. She eventually found friendships within a few others, mainly Barriss Offee who was a few years older than herself but Ahsoka found her calming to be around. She was often prone to violent outbursts when she first arrived but these had decreased in both frequency and severity as time went on.
When Ahsoka was 12, the war broke out. Seemingly endless battles between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems that kept Master Plo away from the temple more than ever. Ahsoka did not understand the war completely but understood that the Jedi would do what was necessary to keep their own and the Republic safe. She threw herself into her training, though she was often ridiculed by her peers. The unusual grip that she favoured seemed to resonate with her the most, it didn't matter that it was unorthodox because it just felt right.
One day, Master Plo brought her outside the temple and into the streets of Courasant.
"Where are we going?" She asked the Kel Dor.
"We're going to meet someone." The Jedi Master replied.
"Who?" Ahsoka chirped inquisitively.
"You will soon see." He said mysteriously.
This statement seemed to satisfy her curiosity for the time being, so she continued to walk beside him.
Making their way towards the shipyard, Ahsoka marvelled at the size of the cruisers docked there. Of course, she had heard about the men that served under the Jedi. Master Plo always had a fond tone of voice as he recounted tales of them to her.
"Ahsoka." Master Plo placed a hand on her shoulder as she stopped daydreaming.
She looked up, in front of her was a man, a bit shorter than Master Plo but had a severe look about him. The man's gaze was directed at her, it was curious but his facial expression remained neutral.
"This is Commander Wolffe of the Wolfpack." Plo gestured to the man beside him.
"Hi." Ahsoka said, waving shyly.
"Sir." Wolffe saluted her as he stood to attention.
"Sir?" Ahsoka said confused.
"Just formalities." Master Plo assured her.
Ahsoka grinned up at Wolffe and saluted back.
"Commander."
The memory faded away, leaving her in darkness once more.
Ahsoka was fourteen, still top of her class, but visits from Master Plo or the Wolfpack were getting rarer and rarer. Barriss was now 16, appointed to Master Luminara Unduli. Ahsoka hadn't seen her friend in a while either. It made living at the Temple... lonely. She tried to meditate to alleviate these thoughts, however she still missed her friend dearly.
There were always rumours going around: this Jedi did this, this Jedi said this, this Padawan... Ahsoka tuned out most of these rumours but there was a more recent one that piqued her interest. It was said that 'The Chosen One' was to have a padawan. Ahsoka wondered what her apprenticeship would be like. With the war raging onwards, it was obvious that wherever she was to go, her first assignment was likely to be on a battlefield.
The thoughts trailed away as snapshots of her life flashed through her mind.
The darkness of the transport ship as it descended into the chaos of the Battle of Christophsis.
"I'm Ahsoka. Master Yoda sent me."
The way that Master Kenobi held himself with great poise and politeness, masking his inner thoughts.
"I'm at your service, Master Kenobi...but I'm afraid I've actually been assigned to Master Skywalker."
The feeling of rejection as the insecurities of her past made her doubt the confidence that Master Yoda had placed in her.
"Sir, I thought you said you'd never have a Padawan."
The mix of wonder as she endeavoured to learn each and every one of her men's names. The men who would fight by her side, the ones that she would one day call brothers.
"You're stuck with me, Skyguy."
The way that her and Master Skywalker just seemed to resonate with one another even if neither of them saw it at first.
"In my book, experience outranks everything."
Rex, who reminded her so much of Wolffe and yet they were so different at the same time. Rex who led his men into the heart of the battle, never wavering, leading by example.
"You're reckless, little one. You never would have made it as Obi-Wan's Padawan. But you might make it as mine."
The feeling of acceptance made her feel that she was where she belonged.
Someone was calling her.
Their voice was soft, light...
Wake up
Ahsoka...
Ahsoka...