Ahsoka Tano One-Shots

An Unexpected Encounter | Part 2

"What do you expect me to call you? Snips?"

"Call me Ahsoka-"

"I don't understand," Echo rambled on. "You've been so loyal to all of the troopers. You risked your life and saved ours almost daily. You deserve every part of that title." He seemed to make a sort of realization, pity seeping into his tone. "Oh, Commander, is it because of Order 66?"

Ahsoka winced at the very word. "No-"

"It wasn't your fault. All the clones have control chips in their heads that made them turn on the Jedi. I'm sure you did all you could to-"

"I left the Order and surrendered my rank as a commander," Ahsoka finally blurted, tears threatening to escape her eyes.

"What?!"

"I left the Order, I left the War, and I surrendered my rank as commander," Ahsoka rubbed the edges of her large, watery eyes. "I don't deserve being called that anymore."

"Why?" Echo whispered.

"It's a long, complicated story," Ahsoka admitted.

"I've got time," Echo shifted his position slightly.

"There was a bombing at the... at the Jedi temple," Ahsoka croaked. "I was framed by a close friend and the Council turned their backs on me. Anakin proved my innocence seconds before they decided to execute me or not, which I'm pretty sure they would have. After that I... I just couldn't go back. The Council didn't trust me. I had to sort things out on my own."

Echo bit his lip.

"I went back to help with the siege of Mandalore, but then they all turned, and Anakin was gone, and Obi-Wan..." Ahsoka hadn't realized she was crying. She briskly swiped the tears away with a trembling hand. "So many died, and I let them. I don't deserve the title."

Echo was speechless. All he could do was wrap Ahsoka into a hug and hold her there until she stopped shaking so violently.

"You saved Rex, didn't you?" Echo asked when he found his voice.

Ahsoka yanked herself out of his embrace. "How'd you figure that out?"

"Rex came and visited us a while back. Was he with you?"

"Yeah," Ahsoka curled into herself again. "I removed his inhibitor chip. I take it he got yours out as well?"

Echo nodded. "Took mine, Wrecker's, Hunter's, and Tech's out. Omega didn't have one. Say, you haven't met them all yet, have you?"

Ahsoka shook her head. "I spoke with Omega, but that's it."

"Well, we landed a bit ago, so I'll take you to meet them all," Echo offered.

"Land? Where are we?"

"Ord Mantell. We work with an informant called Cid," Echo explained. "She has a cantina that the others will be waiting in. But we can always take you back if you want to go."

"Okay," Ahsoka stood up from the bunk and followed Echo towards the door.

"Oh," Echo stopped. "I should ask, do you want something to eat?"

Ahsoka shook her head. "I'm not really hungry.'

Echo gave her an unconvinced look but proceeded out the door and to Cid's cantina. He brought her inside the cantina and the heads of three clones and a small girl turned upon their arrival.

"Echo," one of them greeted. "Care to introduce your friend?"

"Yes. This is Commander Tano-" he cut himself off when he saw Ahsoka's look. "-Er, this is Ahsoka Tano, former Commander of the 501st division and padawan to Anakin Skywalker."