Anakin and Ashara walked up to Obi-Wan who was hiding behind a piece of debris with Cody and Teriko. Obi-wan grumbled as he looked over the debris. "Anakin, where are you?"

Ashara snorted, realizing that Obi-Wan hadn't seen them. "I'm right here", Anakin replied, narrowly dodging blaster fire by simply moving his head. "What are you doing down there?"

"We are taking cover. Now get down", Obi-Wan ordered. Ashara just shook her head, smiling.

"Nah, we're fine", she said, while Anakin snickered.

"You're not serious", her brother said. "There's only a thousand droids down there, tops."

Obi-Wan scoffed. "What are you up to? Where's Captain Rex?"

Anakin walked forward, and stood on top of the debris, looking out across the battlefield. Ashara stayed where she was, amused at Obi-Wan's perplexed face. Teriko's face was simply cold, and Ashara swore his eyes looked to be a little more yellow than the last time she saw him.

"We already finished our battle, so we decided to come help you with yours", Anakin said calmly.

"You're overdoing it. Again", Obi-Wan snapped. He sounded slightly angry, and Anakin obviously heard that in his voice, as he turned and knelt down so he could more easily talk to his old master.

"Master, I mean no disrespect", he snarked. "If you want, I can hide here with you, and we can let the people in the city suffer longer."

"Now Anakin, you know I-" Anakin cut off his old master, not allowing him to finish his sentence.

"Or we can do things my way and help them now."

Ashara spoke up. "Anakin, just go. I'll explain the plan to Obi-Wan."

Anakin nodded, and turned around, walking forward, avoiding all the blaster fire sent his way. She rolled his eyes.

"He's such a showoff", she said, still standing.

"And you're not?" Cody joked. She shrugged, and dodged a blaster shot that almost hit her shoulder.

"We grew up together, can you blame me? But anyway, he's gonna draw out the tactical droid."

"By getting himself killed?" Obi-Wan asked. Ashara shrugged.

"If he gets killed, it's my turn to go pretend to surrender. We've got multiple iterations of this plan, don't worry."

"Okay, but if Anakin is out there, and you're here, where is the 501st?" 

"They're hanging out here somewhere", Ashara smirked, knowing exactly where her battalion was. "They'll show up when either Anakin or I give the signal."

Ashara looked up at Anakin and saw the tactical droid flying towIard. 

"Just watch and enjoy the show, Obi-Wan", she joked as the 501st came and flew out from underneath bridge the 212th was currently standing on.

"General?" Cody asked hesitantly.

"Yes, Cody, you may join the fun as well."

At that moment, the 212th surged forward, running past Anakin and joining the fight. Ashara, Teriko, and Obi-Wan walked up to Anakin, with the togruta laughing.

"You should have seen Obi-Wan's face, Ani", she laughed. "It was hilarious."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure my face was quite amusing. But bravo, you two. You did it again."

"Oh, we can't take all the credit", Anakin smirked. "Your state of helplessness really sold the surrender talk."

"Always glad to help, my friend", Obi-Wan said, likely rolling his eyes. Anakin's comm-link beeped, and he answered it.

"Skywalker here. What is it, Admiral?"

"Sir, we've received a transmission from someone using your subspace frequency 'Fulcrum.'"

Ashara shared a glance with Anakin and Obi-Wan. She tilted her head in confusion, the only they knew to really use that frequency was Saw Gerrera.

"Saw Gerrera?" Anakin asked.

"Perhaps the siege at Onderon has taken a turn for the worse", Obi-Wan guessed.

"No, sir, it's not Gerrera", Yularen said over the comm-link. "You had best take this transmission here on the ship. All of you."

Ashara shared a glance with the other three Jedi, and they all headed toward a gunship to take them to the cruiser up above the planet. As the ship flew higher and higher into space, Ashara tried to speculate who it could be. It had to be someone who knew and was close to Anakin, and the only one she could really think of was Ahsoka. But Ahsoka wouldn't come back to the Jedi. Not unless she absolutely needed their help, but she couldn't figure out why the young togruta might need their help. So she crossed Ahsoka off the list. 

They landed on the ship, and made their way quickly up to the command room. 

"All right, Admiral", Anakin stated. "What's so important you brought us all the way back here?" He trailed off when he saw the hologram, revealing a more put together Ahsoka Tano. She could feel the shock emanating from all of the Jedi in the room, including herself. Even Teriko was shocked.

"Hello, Master", Ahsoka said as she turned to see Anakin. "It's been a while."

Anakin was in silence as he tried to pull himself out of his shocked reverie. "Ah- Ahsoka", he stuttered over his words. "Wha- I don't believe it. How are you? Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm alright", Ahsoka said. "Thank you. I wish we had more time to talk, but I have urgent information for all of you."

"What is it, Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan cuts in, and Ashara knew it was because he wasn't sure Anakin would be able to handle talking to his old padawan.

"Lady Bo-Katan and I have located the renegade Sith Lord, Maul", Ahsoka said. Ashara's world started disappearing around her as she thought about the red and black zabrak that had killed Qui-Gon and almost killed her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and shook her head, trying to keep back the memories that tried to come back into her mind. 

'You shouldn't be here, little one.'

'NOOOO!'

'I've healed my brother before, I can heal you!'

"Ashara!" Anakin said, snapping her out of her reverie. She blinked, and looked around to see that everyone was looking at her. The hologram of Ahsoka and Bo-Katan was gone. She hugged her arms to herself before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Sorry. Just... he brings back bad memories."

"I understand", Obi-Wan said. "You were little when you first met him."

Ashara shook her softly. "I'll probably ask to go elsewhere if the council decides that we are to go with Ahsoka to fight Maul."

"And that's perfectly okay", Anakin said. "I'm sure they'd understand." Ashara shrugged and pushed the memories that come with the zabrak away. It was time to prepare for Ahsoka coming here.

~~~~~~

The moment they got word that Bo-Katan's ship was approaching, the four Jedi went down to the hangar to greet the togruta they had all dearly missed. The moment the ship ramp opened, and Ahsoka started walking down it, Anakin's droid, R2, beeped excitedly and sped off, being the first to greet her. Ashara smiled, and watched Ahsoka smiled at the droid, gently resting her hand on top of him before continuing to walk forward to greet her old master, and the other Jedi.

Teriko was fidgeting beside Obi-Wan, wanting to run to Ahsoka, but knowing that now wasn't the time. Ashara felt slightly bad for him, but she knew that he needed to learn his place. And that wasn't with her. 

"Ahsoka", Anakin started as soon as she reached him. "I'm so glad-" Ahsoka cut him off.

"We'll have to catch up another time", she said. "Things are moving quickly."

"Every minute we waste here gives Maul an opportunity to slip away", Bo-Katan added sharply.

"We understand", Obi-Wan said. "Please, follow me."

Obi-Wan and Teriko led Ahsoka and the Mandalorians away, and Anakin hung back slightly. Ashara could feel the hurt and confusion that Ahsoka's words left him and she gently rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Anakin, don't take it personally. She's trying to help Bo-Katan and her people, they need help. I'm sure she does want to catch up with you, but she's doing her duty first, just as we should."

Anakin shrugged her off, and stormed ahead. Ashara sighed softly, but followed after him, knowing that the information Ahsoka and Bo-Katan were going to share was important.

"Bo-Katan had been tracking Maul's movements for several months", Ahsoka said once they were all gathered around a holotable. "I was able to obtain some transmission codes from the Pykes on Oba Diah, which helped her pinpoint some of his previous locations."

"What were you doing on Oba Diah?" Anakin asked, sounding almost like a parent who's kid had stayed out past midnight.

"That's a long story and not really relevant right now", Ahsoka answered softly. 

"What is relevant", Bo-Katan spoke. "Is that we know Maul is on Mandalore in the city of Sundari."

"You're certain of this?" Obi-Wan asked.

"He arrived two days ago", Bo-Katan confirmed.

"So why not take him yourself?" Obi-Wan asked. "Or, to be more specific, what do you want from the Republic?"

Ahsoka and Bo-Katan looked at each and Ahsoka nodded. Bo-Katan sighed and looked down, as if she was about to confess to something that was embarrassing to her. And perhaps it was.

"I don't have the numbers needed for a siege. Without a complete lockdown of the city, Maul will escape again. That's why I'm proposing a joint operation. If we are successful, you'll have Maul, and I'll have Mandalore."

"If Republic forces aid you in your assault, it will break treaties that are hundred years old. We will effectively be drawn into yet another war", Obi-Wan argued.

"What's one more?" Bo-Katan countered. 

"Well, we're not finished with our first one yet", Anakin said. Ashara rolled her eyes at him.

Bo-Katan glared at him, and Ashara sighed. Obi-Wan chose to stop the argument from happening before it began.

"I will advise the Jedi Council of this development", he said, and turned around.

"There's no time!" the red-haired Mandalorian yelled, causing Obi-Wan to turn back around. "Maul's influence on Mandalore is destroying my people. He murdered their ruler, my sister. I thought she meant something to you."

This was news to Ashara, and she sent a surprised glance to Obi-Wan, who's gaze saddened.

"She did", he said softly. "And still does. But I cannot allow my feelings to cloud my judgement. The council will decide what our course of action will be."

Obi-Wan turned and walked out of the room, and Bo-Katan stormed off. Ahsoka didn't move, and instead turned to watch Bo-Katan leave.

"So... that went well, all things considered", Anakin said, drawing Ahsoka's attention back to him.

"You two certainly haven't changed", Ahsoka said, a smile on her face. 

Anakin chuckled. "Is that a bad thing?" Ahsoka didn't say anything, so Anakin changed the subject. "C'mon. I have a surprise for you."

Anakin and Ahsoka left the room, leaving Ashara and Teriko. Ashara looked over at Teriko, and noticed him staring longingly at the door. "Let's go", she said softly. "We can talk with Ahsoka too after Anakin is done showing her his surprise. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you."

Teriko was silent as he followed after his old master. Ashara glanced down at him, and was surprised to see the gold in his eyes slowly fading away. She smiled softly, but didn't say anything, and instead just walked in a comfortable silence toward where they knew Ahsoka and Anakin were going.

Unfortunately that silence was ruined by an alarm going off. Obi-Wan ran past them, telling them to follow him, which they did, matching his pace. They made it to where Anakin and Ahsoka was, where Obi-Wan instantly told them to prepare all forces.

"So, the attack on Mandalore was approved?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan shook his head. 

"No, it's Coruscant. Grievous has attacked the capitol", the Jedi Master said. 

"What about the Chancellor?" Anakin asked.

"Shaak Ti has been sent to protect him, but Master Windu has lost contact with her", Obi-Wan said. Ashara's worry instantly spiked for her old master. Grievous was not known to be kind to Jedi, she knew that from experience.

"Not to worry, our fleet can be there within the hour", Obi-Wan said, trying to comfort Anakin. Ashara remembered that he was particularly close to the Chancellor but she suspected that was not all there was behind his emotions.

"So that's it?" Ahsoka asked. "You're going to abandon Bo-Katan and her people?"

"Ahsoka, surely you must understand this is a pivotal moment in the clone wars?" Obi-Wan said, starting to get frustrated. "The heart of the Republic is under attack."

"I understand that, as usual, you're playing politics", Ahsoka spat. "This is why people have lost faith in the Jedi. I had too, until I was reminded of what the order means to people who truly need us."

"Right now, people on Coruscant need us", Obi-Wan replied sternly.

"No", Ahsoka shook her head. "The Chancellor needs you."

"That's not fair", Obi-Wan said. 

"I'm not trying to be."

Anakin came up with an idea to calm the tension between the two. "I'll divide the 501st, make a new division under Ahsoka's command."

"Unfortunately, Ahsoka is no longer a part of the Grand Army of the Republic", Obi-Wan said, shutting down the idea. Teriko piped up.

"I could go with her", he said.

"You're not ready", Obi-Wan said. "I want you to stay by me at all times."

"Ashara could go with", Anakin said. 

"I'd freeze up the moment I saw Maul", Ashara shot down. Anakin frowned, stumped, but only for a moment.

"We'll promote Rex to Commander and have him lead the new division", he said, proud of his idea. "Ahsoka can go with as an adviser. What do you say?"

"I accept", the younger togruta said, before looking over Obi-Wan, who was stroking his beard. "That is, if Obi-Wan agrees."

"Very well", Obi-Wan said. "May the Force be with you." He turned and walked toward the door. He paused, before turning back around. "Oh, one other thing. I killed Maul once. Best to capture him. He doesn't seem to stay dead."

Ahsoka nodded, and he turned back toward the door, and when it opened, he called to Teriko. "Teriko, with me."

Teriko sighed softly, and turned toward Ahsoka. "I guess I'll be seeing you?"

Ahsoka smiled, and nodded. Teriko smiled, and darted off after his master. Ashara could sense Ahsoka's question before it left her lips.

"Why is he going with Obi-Wan?" she asked. "I thought he was your padawan."

"He got mad at me after you left, and asked to be placed with a new master. I tried to fix things with him, but he didn't want to fix them, so I let him go", Ashara explained briefly. Ahsoka nodded, and Anakin cleared his throat.

"If you're going to face Maul, you'll need these", he said, holding out a box that Ashara hadn't seen him holding before. She suspected she knew what they were, and by the look on Ahsoka's face, the togruta suspected the same thing. The young woman opened the box, revealing her two lightsabers, practically good as new. Ahsoka picked them up, allowing them to rest in her hands.

"I took care of them. Good as new", Anakin said as Ahsoka ignited them, revealing the color to be blue instead of her old green. "Maybe a little better." 

She tested out her skills with the lightsabers to make sure she was still comfortable with them.

"You capture Maul. We'll take care of Grievous. With any luck, this will all be over soon", Anakin said.

"Master Kenobi said there's no such thing as luck", Ahsoka said teasingly. Anakin smiled.

"Good thing I taught you otherwise", he said before turning around to leave. Ashara followed after him.

"Anakin!" Ahsoka suddenly called out. Ashara turned at the same time Anakin did.

"Good luck", Ahsoka said. "To both of you."

Ashara smiled at her, and nodded. As she walked away from that room, she got the feeling that that might be the last time she ever saw that beautiful young togruta again.