It had been a month since Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding on Naboo. The galaxy didn't pause for love — not in the middle of a war. The Clone Wars raged on, and every day seemed to draw Anakin deeper into its fire. I could see the difference in him, though. The reckless edge was still there, but now it was sharpened by purpose. He wasn't just fighting as a Jedi General anymore. He was fighting as a husband with something personal to lose.
Now, that fire had brought us to the war-torn world of Christophsis. The Separatists had entrenched themselves in the crystalline streets of the capital, and the Republic was desperate to break their hold. Obi-Wan commanded the strategy, Anakin the charge, and I — as always — walked at his side to make sure Skywalker didn't get himself killed.
We had just returned to the command post, discussing the Separatist shield generator pinning down our forces, when a new transport descended through the haze. I felt a presence before the ramp even lowered — bright, raw, untested.
The hatch opened, and down the ramp marched a teenage Togruta, her orange skin catching the pale glow of Christophsis' crystal spires. Her green eyes scanned us quickly, confident, almost defiant.
"Master Yoda sent me," she said without hesitation. "I'm Ahsoka Tano, your new Padawan learner."
Anakin blinked, taken completely off guard. "Your new what?"
Obi-Wan's lips twitched as though he'd been expecting this. "Congratulations, Anakin. Looks like the Council has decided you're ready for a student."
Anakin muttered under his breath, "Or they're trying to punish me…"
I folded my arms, watching the exchange. Classic Yoda, I thought. Always three moves ahead.
Ahsoka tilted her head at Anakin. "You're Master Skywalker, right?"
"That's me," Anakin said cautiously.
"Then I'm with you," she said firmly, then glanced at me. "Unless… you're my Master?"
I smirked. "No, that honor's all his. I'm his Master. I just get to grade how badly you make his life difficult."
That earned a laugh from Obi-Wan. Anakin just groaned.
Before anyone could say more, alarms blared across the outpost. Separatist droid forces were advancing again, heavy clankers pounding the street. Clones scrambled into position.
Ahsoka lit her saber with a snap-hiss, eager. "Well, let's not waste time then."
She leapt straight into battle. Her blade flashed as she cut down the first wave of battle droids, her agility carrying her over their ranks. She spun, slashed, and toppled half a squad before they even finished their "Roger-roger."
I stood shoulder to shoulder with Anakin, both of us silently watching.
"She definitely knows her Temple drills," I murmured.
"Yeah," Anakin said with a grin. "But that's not control I'm seeing. That's instinct. That's raw fire."
I nodded slowly. "Fire that needs direction. Just like yours once did."
Anakin shot me a sideways look. "Guess that means she's in the right place."
Ahsoka cut down another cluster of droids, then sprinted back toward us with a wide grin. "See? Told you I could handle myself."
Anakin smirked, resting his saber on his shoulder. "Not bad, Snips."
"Snips?" she repeated with a frown.
"You'll get used to it," Anakin said with a wink. Then his tone hardened. "But if you're going to be my Padawan, there's something you need to understand."
Her grin faltered. "What's that?"
He met her eyes, serious. "Forget everything the Jedi have taught you."
She blinked. "Wait… what?"
"You heard me," Anakin pressed. "Their lessons will only take you so far. My master showed me another way — the way of the Grey. Balance. Adaptability. Using your emotions without being consumed by them. Surviving, not just following codes."
Ahsoka tilted her head, brow furrowed. "So… not Jedi… not Sith either?"
"Exactly," Anakin said. "The Jedi tell you to bury your feelings. The Sith tell you to drown in them. But the Grey path? You learn to use them, without letting them control you. That's what I'm going to teach you."
I stepped closer, my voice calm but firm. "It won't be easy. You'll have to unlearn everything you thought you knew. But if you're willing to walk this path, you'll become stronger than either Order could ever make you."
For a moment, the battlefield noise faded around us. Ahsoka looked between us, weighing every word. Then she straightened, gripping her saber tightly.
"So… when do we start?"
Anakin grinned, igniting his blade. "Right now."
Through the smoke, more droids marched forward in endless lines. And together — master, apprentice, and the Grey path binding us all — we charged.