Episode 5 of Ahsoka opens with captivating, sweeping views that draw the viewer into the story. Mere minutes later, Hera gracefully lands on the planet, precisely at the location where the orb once stood. Her search yields nothing, and the scope remains silent, devoid of any clues. Before allowing Jacen to wander unsupervised on this potentially dangerous alien terrain, Hera orders Carson to conduct a thorough sweep of the area. Truly, a mother's love knows no bounds!
As Hera presses onward, she stumbles upon Huyang, perched by the water's edge. The droid laments that Sabine and Ahsoka never heed her warnings and have failed to stick together. Jacen attempts to soothe her by urging her to listen to the waves, but he detects the distinct clash of lightsabers, a sound that soon reaches Hera's ears as well.
In search of the mysterious signal, Jacen relays Chopper's instructions to the group, urging them to fly as low as possible, skimming the surface of the water. They embark on this risky maneuver, hoping to uncover the source of the disturbance.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka finds herself confronted by a vision of Anakin in the nebulous realm between worlds. For those unfamiliar with the Rebels series, this encounter may seem baffling. Regardless, Anakin informs her that she has lost her battle with Baylan and he is there to complete her training. Brandishing a lightsaber, he presents her with an ultimatum: choose to live or perish. They engage in a fierce duel, with Ahsoka ultimately opting to survive.
In a moment of triumph, Anakin unexpectedly destroys the bridge beneath her, sending her tumbling into a strange, crimson mist. Here, she finds herself transported back to the Clone Wars era, a young Jedi in training. Anakin's lesson is clear: she must persevere in the fight if she hopes to lead the troops onward. As he disappears into the mist, his silhouette transforms into the dreaded form of Darth Vader, a haunting reminder of the path she must avoid.
We also witness fleeting glimpses of the Siege of Mandalore, mere snippets before Anakin's sudden appearance, declaring that Ahsoka is intertwined with his fate. As their blades clash, the irony is stark; young Ahsoka exhibits a deeper emotional range than her adult counterpart.
Then, once again, we're transported back to the bridge, where the emotionless adult Ahsoka stands. She steadfastly refuses to engage with Anakin, whose red eyes betray his descent to the dark side. Instead, she opts for survival. "There's still hope for you," he sneers before vanishing.
With Anakin's departure, the bridge dissipates, and Ahsoka is swallowed by the waters. She awakens to the blinding light of Hera's ship, having miraculously been found. It's a stroke of luck indeed! As Ahsoka regains consciousness, Huyang rushes to her side with dire news; Sabine is missing, and the orb lies shattered into pieces.
Ahsoka gingerly gathers the fragments, believing that Sabine left some imprint on them to guide them. Closing her eyes, she manages to channel Sabine's "impression," hearing the entire conversation with Baylan and the betrayal of Ahsoka and the others.
While Ahsoka scrambles to find a way to locate Sabine, Hera receives grim tidings. The fleet is approaching, and their intentions are far from benevolent. Hera and Ahsoka are ordered to return to Coruscant, where Hera faces the prospect of permanent suspension from her post. But they ignore the summons, choosing instead to follow Ahsoka's lead in her quest to find Sabine. And their hope lies in those mysterious star whales.
Ahsoka boldly ventured out onto the hull of the ship, determined to hitch a thrilling ride on the majestic whale. She engaged in a deep communication with the whale, establishing a bond that transcended mere language. After her brief encounter, she gracefully returned to the ship's interior, eager to embark on her journey within the whale's gaping maw.
Meanwhile, the X-wings valiantly attempted to divert the attention of the fleet, buying precious time for the star whales' escape. With determined maneuvers, they kept the enemy engaged, allowing the whales to make their escape unhindered.
The star whales, majestic creatures of the cosmos, ultimately soared into the vastness of space, soaring past the fleet with ease. Their departure marked a triumphant escape, leaving the enemy fleet in their wake.
