Alicorns: The Clone Wars

Ahsoka sat down on the public bench, exhausted from the day's events. She had spent the whole day evacuating civilians from a rampaging monster that Anakin and Master Windu brought from Malastare. It broke out of containment and started destroying everything in its path. The creature seemed to beeline for the Senate Building after the Chancellor began broadcasting messages across the district.

The Padawan worked with Luna and her company, who were also helping with evacuations. She was looking at the Alicorn the whole time, more afraid of her than the Beast.

Luna was livid when she heard the news, her face never straying from a snarl. It reminded the young padawan of Felucia, and the anger that was directed at her for the mistake she made. Ahsoka hadn’t spoken to Luna since then, she was afraid of how much the alicorn hated her. She was used to Master Skywalker’s moments of anger, but it was never directed at her in such a way.

The incident on Felucia was never reported, as they were forced to evacuate the planet before the report could be made. She could only imagine her teacher’s disappointment if he ever found out.

“May I sit here?” Ahsoka turned to see Captain Luna standing above her. The snarl was gone, replaced with a neutral expression that she could not read; and that terrified her more than she could ever imagine. The padawan nodded and moved down to make room.

Luna sat down and stared at Ahsoka.

Was she sweating? Pretty sure it wasn’t this hot out a minute ago. What was she going to say? Was she informing her that Anakin was told about the incident? Was she going to be punished more for it?

“I just… wanted to apologize, about snapping at you on Felucia.” Okay, that wasn’t what she was expecting.

“I was angry, and I’m not sorry for what I did.” Ahsoka flattened a bit. She didn’t blame her. It wasn’t the first time her recklessness got troopers killed. “But I know you are still a learner, and General Skywalker isn’t the best at teaching patience.” Both smiled at that, knowing how true it was.

“But I just don’t want you to go through what he did not long ago.” The padawan looked at the captain, an eyebrow raised. Luna saw the look and clarified. “He made a mistake, chasing after Ventress when she attacked our fighters. I was sent with a squad to go and get him. Instead, we were slaughtered, and my wings were replaced with these.”

Her cybernetic wings slowly expanded and retracted.

“I was so angry, I was ready to chew him out for his stupidity. But then I saw the guilt, the shame that reflected in his eyes, and before I could say anything, he apologized. He swore that his troopers would never suffer from a stupid mistake ever again, and he made me promise to keep him to it.”

Ahsoka couldn’t believe it. She had no idea just how relatable she was to her Master. Her vision grew blurry. Why? Was she crying? Why would she be crying?

A pair of hooves wrapped around her shoulders, a comfort she never had before.

“I promise not to be hard on you anymore.” Luna said softly. “Just promise to think about my brothers.” Was she crying? Her voice was breaking.

“They’re all I have. I lost so many already, and I know I’m going to lose more. But if I can save at least one trooper, then that’s a victory.”

It was outlandish. The tough and hardball Captain Luna, was afraid, crying on her shoulder. Thankfully, the street was empty, otherwise this would not look good for the Council, or the troopers. But something changed in Ahsoka, her mind no longer thinking about using her gifts to smash droids. Now she knew, she had to use them to save as many lives as she could.

“I promise.” Ahsoka swore. Even if only one survives, it will be a victory.