Chapter Text
1BBY
The T-6 emerged from hyperspace above a dying world, storms violently churning below them as they made their approach. Pain and fatigue echoed in the force around the Togruta, the planets suffering clear to her in the force, its sickness made her own. The slight nausea in her stomach was helped little by her droids piloting, the ship lurching as the ancient architect droid maneuvered around a jagged piece of metal.
Only now did she spot the massive debris field, the dull grey pieces of hull scattered in the space around them, having previously blended in with the ashen sky. The ex-jedi was unashamed by the sigh of relief that escaped her lips as she recognised the remnants of ISDs. From years of military experience, she couldn’t help but notice the odd nature of the wreckages, puzzled by the absence of scorch marks and blaster burns, the hull warped yet no sign of an explosion. It’s almost as if they were torn apart…
“We are approaching Lothal now lady Tano”, Huyang informed her, his mechanical manipulators gripping onto the steering yoke as he prepared for a struggle, “I recommend finding something to hold onto as we enter the atmosphere”
Ahsoka took heed of Huyang’s advice, opting to take the copilot seat as they made their descent, the T6 beginning to rattle under the extreme conditions.
Huyang’s presence had been a great comfort over the last couple of years, having been forced to cut off all ties to the rebellion, from her friends. She still had very little understanding of the strange world of paths and doorways but interfering with events she clearly had no part in carried too great of risk.
That didn’t make it any easier though, only now did she fully understand the weight behind Ezra’s words, “You’ve missed a lot”. The temptation to act nearly overwhelmed her at times. The loss of Atollon, Sato’s death, Kanan… Had it not been for Huyang’s assistance, Ahsoka had no doubt she would have risked the consequences eventually. At least now she could get back into the fight.
“How heavy is the imperial presence?” Ahsoka inquired, Huyang turning his attention to their scanner, his photoreceptors doing a double take as he viewed the reading.
“How odd, I’m not picking up on any functioning imperial ships on the sensor and the imperial frequencies seem to be silent” he replied.
His words immediately put Ahsoka on edge. Last she heard, Lothal was on complete lockdown, the Seventh fleet blockading the planet, “Lothal is far too vital to the empire to just leave, it doesn’t make any sense” She reasoned, suspecting a trap awaiting the pair down below, despite the low profile she has kept over the years.
“Hopefully we will get some answers when we land, you don’t sense anything off do you?” Huyang asked.
Not sensing any immediate danger with the force, Ahsoka shook her head, still not completely put at ease unlike her companion, the ancient droid having complete faith in her instincts. It wouldn’t be the first time the force has failed to warn her, many missions having gone askew in the past.
Ahsoka’s eyes widened as the T-6 broke through the dense clouds. The once natural beauty of Lothal’s golden plains reduced to nothing, fires ravaging the scorched earth. The planet made another victim to the imperial war machine.
As they approached the capital, Ahsoka could glumly confirm it had fared no better than the land. Smoke billowed out of the housing district as many home still smouldered from look liked an orbital bombardment. The scene before them eerily similar to the many warzones she’d been to in the past.
At times like this, Ahsoka had learnt to drown out the force, the despair of thousands of people often too great to bear alone, yet as they grew closer, another strong emotion flooded her mind in the face of destruction. The people had hope, relief and joy rippling of the Lothalites below, as if a massive weight had finally been lifted.
The streets were filled with hundreds of citizens, all doing their part to contain the fires, the resolve unwavering despite the circumstances. Moving closer to the centre, Ahsoka observed men and woman setting up tables along the roads, food and med supplies being distributed to those he needed it.
Ahsoka’s heart swirled at the sight, unable to recall the last time she witnessed a community so unified, the people standing as one.
“We are being hailed by a man called Azadi, he is requesting that we land” Huyang informed.
“Bring us down Huyang” she responded, a wry smile graced her lips as she spotted a familiar Corellian freighter amongst the civilian craft.
Even though she had plenty of time to come to terms with Kanan’s death, the absence of his presence still caught her of guard. It saddened her that she would never get to see him again, forced to wait until after his passing before she could return. The announcement of his death being the only indicator that Ezra had saved her in the world between worlds and that she could come out of hiding.
All she could do now to honour Kanan was be there for his protégé, not wanting Ezra to go through this alone, knowing he would need her guidance more than ever.
She couldn’t help but think of the cruel nature of the world between worlds, the young man being forced to witness his master demise a second time. Ahsoka knew it nearly broke him, the temptation to reach out and pull his master to safety much like he did for her, the force teaching him the painful lesson of letting go. A lesson she had failed.
Descending the ramp, Ahsoka was met by a familiar Twi’lek, along with a dozen armed citizens. The locals where clearly not taking any chances.
“Ahsoka?” Hera questioned, her blaster lowering as she signalled for those around her to stand down.
“Hello Hera, it’s been a while” Ahsoka said as she approached her old friends, noticing the dark bags underneath her quizzical eyes, her usually steady signature showing signs of strain.
“How are you here?, I thought-, I thought you died on Malachor”
“It’s a long story Hera, one I’ll explain inside” Ahsoka assured, noticing the rest of the ghost crews absence. Only now did the Togruta pick up on the lack of Ezra’s presence, the young jedi usually a bright beacon in the force.
“I need to speak with Ezra, do you know where he is?” Ahsoka asked, worry starting to gnaw away at her. Maybe he is just needed some space, Ahsoka hoped, only for Hera’s anguish to tell her otherwise.
Hera took her time to respond, seemingly unsure what to say, possibly having not come to terms with it herself.
“You’ve missed a lot” Hera finally responded, gesturing for Ahsoka to follow her onto the ghost.
It seemed they both had a lot to get off their chests.