Flash-fiction / Star Wars Fan Fiction
Ahsoka Tano saw the bright red beam hurtling towards her, but too late.
She saw her hands raise themselves, defending her. She saw them fail. She saw the ground closing rapidly towards her as her skull shattered inside her helmet.
She saw Anakin turn towards her, lightsabers ablaze. She saw the shock and mounting fear in his eyes. She saw him run recklessly towards her, just barely avoiding getting shot himself. She saw the helpless look in her eyes.
She saw Rex’s painted helmet reach her before Anakin could. She saw the rest of her squad cover them while Rex shouted something unintelligible. She saw the troopers fall and die. She saw two more taking their place. She saw Anakin slice through the cannon that had shot her. Then she saw no more.
She didn’t see Anakin shaking her, trying to bring her back to life, while Rex attempted in vain to pull him to safety. She didn’t see the enemy reinforcements, unanticipated and numerous, shred her squad to pieces. She didn’t see half of Anakin’s squad get wiped out.
She didn’t see Rex shot in the back. Or Anakin’s anguished cries. She didn’t see Anakin carry her behind their last functioning tank, still unable to accept her death. She didn’t see Rex stumble behind them. She didn’t see him turn away at last, unable to do anymore. She didn’t see the droid squadron advance on Anakin. She didn’t see their last tank blown up. She didn’t see the trooper inside struggle to get out, falter, and die screaming. She didn’t see Anakin finally pull himself together.
No one saw Anakin’s tears, bright as jewels and twice as rare, as he leapt back into the battleground; but they all saw his anger and sadness as he tore through the enemy lies. They all saw the force of his lightsabers as they cut through droids, tanks and Geonosians alike. They all saw him reach the separatist commander hiding behind his troops and rip him apart.
Ahsoka Tano received a Jedi burial of the highest honor, but that cold comfort to the ones that loved her. She suffered the same fate as millions across the galaxy.
Another soldier sacrificed in war, an invaluable Padawan lost.