#I originally had “Visions and Voices” on here because of THAT LOOK Sabine gives Ezra as he runs back into the cave | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

swfanficbyjz · 6 years

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SW Rey Theory - Legacy of Light - Chapter 13

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(~17 years after Revenge of the Sith, beginning of Rebels season 4)

Ezra tried to focus on the people in front of him. These were important people to Sabine and to the future of this planet. After helping them restore Mandalore back to the Visla clan, he’d noticed Rex wander away from the group. Something about the way he’d carried himself had bothered him. There was a weight on his shoulders that the veteran soldier had shown only once before; when they’d returned from Malachor without Ahsoka. No words had really needed to be spoken about what happened there. Everyone knew. She’d sacrificed herself to help them get away, but Ezra had never told anyone what he’d overheard between her and Vader.

He’d been her master. He’d been the Jedi knight that everyone had admired and told stories about, but he’d turned to the dark side. Scared as he had been in his shadow, he’d still felt the pain of what that truth meant to her. Knowing she was dead was bad enough but knowing who had killed her… so much worse. Now as he watched Rex walk slowly with his head down towards a burned forest, he was certain he’d known the truth of who Vader was too. If he’d served with Ahsoka, surely he’d also served with Anakin Skywalker. Certain the people in front of him were too busy to notice his absence, Ezra slipped away to follow him.

Rex dropped to his knees near a stump in the middle of the now bare land. It wasn’t easy to make out what he was looking at from this far away, but Ezra could feel his pain. He snuck as close as he could without the captain knowing he was there, so he could hear what he was saying. What had happened here? He’d said the first time they met that he’d fought alongside Ahsoka until the Siege of Mandalore, so this must have been the last and possibly the worst, battle he’d experienced of the Clone Wars.

“I’m sorry, Ahsoka,” he was saying, his voice tight and full of emotion. “I failed you. I should have gone with you. Why did I let you face him alone?” Rex sighed, his shoulders dropping. He bent over, placing his hands on the ground. “I’ve looked for her everywhere, kept my ears open for her, but I’ve heard nothing. I hope that’s a good thing. If I haven’t heard of her, that means the Empire hasn’t either. At least I hope that’s what it means. Although after losing you, I wanted to track her down.”

Ezra listened in confusion. Who was Rex talking about? He didn’t know a lot about Ahsoka, but the way Rex spoke, this girl meant something to her. And apparently meant a lot to Rex too. She might even be in danger.

“You and Anakin were my closest friends; my family,” Rex sobbed. “Your daughter is all that’s left of both of you.” Ezra’s eyes widened in surprise. Ahsoka had a daughter! “But I know, going after her would only put her in danger. Ashla doesn’t need a life full of war. I understand now why you kept her away from all of this. I promise you, like I did then. If I find her, I will protect her with my life.”

Ezra ducked behind the broken husks of the remaining trees as Rex stood and headed back towards the group. He watched him go, his mind reeling. Ahsoka had a child. Once Rex had disappeared out of sight, he moved over to where he’d been kneeling. There was a mound of dirt, that probably would have had flowers or grass over it by now had this planet not been so horribly devastated by all this war. At the head near the stump was a small stone marker. He brushed his hand across it, wiping away the ash and grime.

Here lies Captain Rex, the brave clone that killed Jedi General Ahsoka Tano. Buried with her lightsabers as proof of the deed.

He stared at the grave marker in disbelief. So that’s how Ahsoka had survived Order 66. She and Rex had faked their deaths to throw the Empire off their trail. Ezra dropped to his knees and started digging. He knew he wouldn’t find either of their bodies, but his hands closed around what he’d been searching for. He pulled up her lightsabers. He’d heard what Rex had said about keeping Ahsoka’s daughter away from the war, that was fine. He knew if someone had stumbled on something that belonged to either his mom or his dad, he’d want them to try and return it. Ashla deserved to know about her mother’s heroism. As he stared down at Ahsoka’s old lightsabers in his hands, he had the strongest sense that he needed to take these to her. He didn’t understand why, but he knew he did. These belonged in her hands, not buried in the ground as a forgotten relic of a horrible war.

He stood up, feeling a new sense of purpose. If Ashla was still out there, he would find her. He had to find her. It was the only way he could assuage the guilt he felt over Ahsoka’s sacrifice to protect him, Kanan and the future of the rebellion. If he was supposed to take these to her, hopefully the force would help him find her.

---

Ashla wiped her hands on her dress and stepped outside. Blinking as she looked in the distance where she’d heard the sound. Since she’d been at the enclave only two ships had come and gone, and that was in several years. She closed her eyes, reaching out with her senses. Whatever or whoever it was didn’t feel dangerous, but she didn’t recognize it either.

She missed her mother. She’d gotten so used to talking to her nearly every night that whenever anything new happened her first thought was to tell her. She couldn’t now though, she’d been silent for nearly eighteen months. But who was counting? She didn’t want to believe Ahsoka was dead… but the memories of the last thing she remembered had scarred her senses. For a moment she’d almost believed that she’d felt both her mother and father, but that didn’t make any sense. Her father was dead, and she feared… so was her mother now.

She felt compelled to move towards the sound. It was almost like there was music. It sounded like a song. Not one that she was hearing with her ears, it was as though she felt it. What could it mean? The closer she got to the source, the more powerful the feeling.

She paused behind a tree as the landing hatch opened and the light from inside cast the forest in a bright glow. Someone moved down the ramp to the bottom and looked around. She studied him curiously. He seemed to be about her age. In the light his hair seemed bluish. He wore bright orange clothes, and he definitely didn’t seem to mind attention on himself; because he sure stood out like a flame in the dark of the night. He stumbled a little stepping off the ramp and recovered himself as though trying to laugh it off even though nobody but her was watching. She smiled.

The song she was hearing seemed to be coming from him, or something he was holding. She moved trying to get a better look and snapped a branch. He looked up suddenly and she ducked behind the tree breathing heavy. “It’s okay,” he said, but she held her breath. “I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m looking for someone named Ashla.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Who besides her uncle knew she was here? Who was this kid? She took a deep breath feeling in the force for what she should do. Could she trust him? Her mother had told her time and time again to be cautious; to not reveal herself or give away her identity.

“I just want to give her something that belonged to her mother,” he spoke again. He was strong in the force too. She closed her eyes breathing hard. This boy knew her mom. But right before stepping out she remembered that her mother had told her countless times that her presence would put her in danger. That people would want her because of who her parents were. Her curiosity was burning though. What did he have of hers? She needed to know.

Forgive me, mom. I have to know. She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves and stepped out boldly from behind the tree. The boy looked up at her in surprise, but he didn’t draw a weapon.

“Ashla?” She nodded numbly and he smiled, but then his expression turned sad. “I brought these for you… I thought… well I thought you’d want them.” He pulled two unusual looking metal things out of his pack. The song she’d been hearing was suddenly louder. “And… I think she would have wanted you to have them.”

“You knew my mother?” she breathed, still struggling to comprehend being face to face with someone that made her mom real. She believed she’d been really talking to her through the force. Sometimes it had felt like she was really there, but she didn’t have any physical memories of her; only visions and dreams. This kid… he’d really talked to her, been around her; maybe even hugged her. She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She felt a rush of emotion at the longing she’d always had for her presence. Not just in the force; but something real; physical, tangible.

“Oh, please don’t cry!” he stumbled forward and kneeled down in front of her. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” She looked up at him unable to stop herself. “Look, see? These were your mother’s lightsabers. Well, her original ones I guess,” he put the metal things in her hands and she looked down at them blankly.

“Lightsabers?” she finally managed, turning them over in her hands. They were unlike any mechanical thing she’d ever seen. They had a feeling to them, like they were meant for her. The song she’d been hearing had stopped the moment he’d given them to her. As though that act sealed that they were where they belonged.

“You know what a lightsaber is, right?” he asked.

She shook her head, “I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never seen one.”

“Oh well, that’s because… Well never mind. Here let me show you.” He stood up and stepped away. She saw him pull something from his belt and turn it on. She leapt back in surprise as a long stream of green energy erupted from the end of it. To her surprise, it didn’t keep going like it had been fired. It just hung there, humming in the force. She stood up, looking it over in confusion. “No don’t touch,” he said as she reached her hand out. She pulled it back and looked at him. “It’s sharper than a knife and it will burn you. Here, throw a rock at me.”

“What?” she asked, furrowing her brow. “I can’t do that, it’s rude.”

He chuckled, “It’s okay, really. It won’t hurt me.” She bit her lip.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay,” she said reluctantly and picked up a stone from a few feet away, tossing it at him lightly; still unsure of this plan. He swung his lightsaber slicing through it. She ran to where the parts fell and inspected them. The rock had been cleanly split in half. And where it had been cut was hot to the touch. “Whoa,” she whispered in awe. She ran back to where she’d dropped the ones he’d given her. She ran her fingers over them inspecting the craftsmanship of how they’d come together.

“This button will turn it on and this knob will adjust the length of the blade.” He pointed out the parts to her. She pressed the on button and he leapt away as it narrowly missed him.

“Sorry!” she said.

“It’s okay,” he grinned up at her from where he was leaning on his elbows. “They can be a little tricky to get the hang of. I remember it well.”

She moved it around, waving it. She was entranced by the way it danced in the air and felt in her hands. One of them was larger, but not uncomfortable to hold. The other one was a smaller version of it. She turned the other one on and held them in her hands. These were her mother’s. At some point in her life, she’d felt the same thing she was feeling now; a sense of belonging to something bigger.

She closed her eyes and moved through the force with them in her hand, feeling as though they were guiding her hands to know just where to turn or strike. She heard him turn his back on.

“Care for a duel?” he asked. She looked up to see him smirking. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

If her mother could wield these, so could she. She nodded to him, hiding her smile. She watched him carefully as he leapt around, moving and feinting as though to distract her. She stared unblinkingly at his movements, feeling the way it disturbed the force around him. She dropped low to the ground as all her senses were on high alert; feeling the path ahead. She felt a sense of strength and speed fill her, so she leapt forward spinning first to swing at him. He stumbled back in surprise and ducked as she swung the other one back around.

“Wow,” he said as he got his up to block her, but had to leap out of the way of the second saber. “For not knowing what a lightsaber was a few minutes ago, you sure picked it up fast.” He sounded a little breathless.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” she said. “It’s like they’re guiding me. As though they’re alive.” She spun them in her hands.

“Well they kind of are. I mean not a living thing, but the kyber crystals that power them are strongly connected to the cosmic force. You know about the force, right?”

“Yes. Do these kyber crystals… do they sing?” she asked and then blushed furiously. He stopped fighting and looked at her.

“They do, yes. Supposedly only the person they belong to can hear them. So no one else would hear the one mine made. Why? Have you already heard it?”

“These were singing to me,” she looked down at the weapons in her hands. “That’s the sound I followed to find you.”

“Then I guess I was right about bringing them to you,” he murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I thought I was crazy, but it felt like the right thing to do.”

“My mother didn’t send you?” She felt heavy again. What had she expected? That this boy had come to get her and take her home?

“I’m sorry, no,” he whispered. “Your mother… she’s dead.” Sorrow seeped into her soul. It couldn’t be true. It can’t be! She had to still be out there. She looked up at him pleadingly as though he could simply unsay the words and that would bring her back. “But she died a hero!” he exclaimed as if that made it okay. “She saved us, and her sacrifice gave us a fighting chance against the horrible Empire.”

The Empire, she nearly spat. She was no fan of it either, but it had taken everything from her. It was the reason she didn’t get to know her mother or father. It was the reason her uncle had dropped her here so he didn’t have to look over his shoulder everywhere they went. It was the reason she couldn’t show her true powers. The reason she had to keep her head down. In that moment, she didn’t care about the Empire. Or the rebellion or even the war. All she wanted was justice, for her life and for her parents.

“You should be proud to be her daughter,” he tried to comfort her. “She was an amazing warrior for good. She made the rebellion possible. Without her, we’d be floundering in our own little corners of the galaxy making no difference. She gave us a fighting chance.” Her chest was tight. She wanted to be proud, but pride in her wouldn’t bring her back. Her mom was amazing simply because of who she was. She looked up at him, feeling angry. Not at him, at the universe; at the force.

“Who killed her?” she asked darkly. Her hands balled into fists around the lightsabers still clutched in them.

“I wish it wasn’t so either!” he said quickly. “But revenge is a dangerous path. It leads to the dark side.”

“Who killed her?” she asked again, eyes narrowing defiantly.

“A Sith lord,” he said hesitantly. “Darth Vader. Apparently he was once her master; Anakin Skywalker.”

She looked up at him in surprise, forgetting the anger for a moment. “What did you say?”

“Darth Vader was once her master…” he repeated. “Anakin Skywalker.”

“I know that name,” she breathed, sitting down hard.

“Well… I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve heard of him. He was once a Jedi Knight. The most powerful one they’d ever seen. He was a hero during the Clone Wars.”

“No that’s not why…” she shook her head confused. The puzzle pieces were slowly coming together. Anakin Skywalker was… her father… And he was alive… That’s why she’d felt them both when she’d last felt her mother. She could still feel her mother’s pain at finding out the truth of what he’d become. No wonder her mom had been so protective of her. She was the daughter of two powerful Jedi; and one of them, had turned into a monster…

---

“Mom?” Ashla whispered from her knees on the forest floor. She reached deep into the force trying to find her. “I know you’re out there.” The tears fell freely as though she had no control. The boy, who’d introduced himself as Ezra Bridger had gone back inside his ship. He said he’d give her some time as though that could heal the words he’d spoken to her or the pain she felt right now. “Someone told me you are dead, but I don’t believe them.” She rubbed her fingers over the lightsabers in her hands. “He gave me your old lightsabers, from back when you were a Jedi. I should feel closer to you now, but I can’t find you anywhere. I search for you every day. I know you’re trying to reach me too; from wherever you are. I hope there’s just something blocking us and that what he said isn’t true. I heard the song from the crystals in your swords. He told me only the person they belong to can hear them, but that can’t be right. They belong to you, not me. Unless they know I’m your daughter.”

Even though she didn’t get a response anymore, imagining talking to her mother soothed her. “I don’t want to hate my father for what he did, or what he became. But if it’s true that he’s alive… part of me wants to find him. Trust me, I know it’s a bad idea; but I want to. He’d never accept me, I know that. You told me he didn’t know the truth. This boy offered to teach me how to use the lightsabers. I don’t know if it’s what you would have wanted. You taught me all about the force, but never how to fight. I know I was stubborn sometimes, but I promise I was listening. I listened to everything you told me. I wanted to make you proud. I hope if you are gone… you knew that. I miss you mom!” she dropped her hands to the ground as she was rocked by another sob. “I wish I was stronger, like you.”

She felt a hand on her back and looked up tearfully at Ezra who had sat down next to her. She threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in him. It had startled him, but he pulled her tighter to him. “I’m sorry, Ashla,” he whispered. She wanted to tell him it was okay, but it wasn’t okay. She didn’t feel okay. “Your mom was amazing. I wish you could have seen her fight.”

She looked up at him, “What was she like?”

“She was quiet and kind. Patient and a strong mentor; wise beyond her years. She was confident and radiated light. She always put the needs of others first. She inspired everyone around her to work hard and remember what we were fighting for,” he said thoughtfully.

“I wish I could have known her,” she said sadly, resting her head on his chest again. Really known her. “Was she beautiful?” She didn’t want to tell Ezra about the way they had talked in the force. Even though he was probably the first person in her life that might have understood. It felt too personal right now though, and even though she knew exactly what her mom looked like, she wanted to know how other people saw her.

“Very,” he said. “She lit up every room she walked into. Kind of like you actually.”

“But we haven’t been in a room,” she laughed.

“Well… you light up every forest you walk into,” he sounded flustered.

“Are you flirting with me, Ezra Bridger?” she smirked at him.

“Um…” he ran his fingers through his short hair. “Is it okay with you if I am?” She looked up at him critically. He had really interesting blue eyes, thick eyebrows and several scars on his cheek. But he was good looking. Not that it mattered that much to her. He had a kind heart, she could tell that much.

“Yeah, it’s okay,” she smiled.

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