Following the death of Palpatine, the Empire began to fracture under the sustained assault of the Alliance, then Republic. Black Fleet, a contingent tasked with investigating ISRG and Inquisitorious affairs eventually discovered a seemingly forsaken Imperial research outpost in the Midrim. Following the liquidation or transfer of the station's force-sensitives, Ace had managed, through her immense force-sensitive nature to take control of the Imperial garrison. An unconscious effort, born of desperation, the Imperials then turned on each other.

Black Squadron, the foremost contingent of Black Fleet boarded the station, breaking through the garrison and rescuing Ace. Drex Nogru, second in command of the squadron was first to make contact with Ace and subsequently took on the role of a mentor and father-figure to the girl.

Ace would travel with Black Fleet and Nogru aboard the flagship Adinor until the end of the Galactic Civil War in 3 ABY. Though precocious and highly energetic, she would spend most of her time aboard in relative comfort and security. Ace was not present for the climactic Raid of Byss, remaining in the custody of Republic forces until Nogru's return. Following the end of the war and signing of the Alderaan Accord, Ace accompanied Nogru to the Mandalorian colony of Ruusar. 

Residing with Drex on Ruusar, Ace was immersed in the culture of the Mandalorians without fully adopting the culture as her own, remembering her earlier life with Black Squadron. Remaining in contact with former Black Squadron members Mireille Nem and Kred Jervata, Ace eventually decided to pursue the path of a Jedi Knight. With her entry assured due to Kred's rapport with Master of the Order Luke Skywalker, Ace spent her final days on Ruusar preparing for the long journey and saying her farewells to those closest to her on the colony-world. 

Arriving on Yavin in early 9ABY, Ace rapidly showed herself to be of a standard of training far beyond the normal student. Well-versed in lightsaber combat, basic force techniques and lore, she passed the first trials mere months after arriving.

It was around this juncture that Ace began to experience her first dark sensations and visions. Confiding in Sazi that she had not experienced such feelings since the war. Unable to shake these dark feelings, Ace was drawn toward a known dark-side nexus on Yavin, the tomb of Naga Sadow. Venturing out alone, Ace would manage to enter the tomb, descending to the lowest levels before Luke and Sazi realized what she had done.

Entering the dark nexus, Ace would experience a vision of a possible future. Unwilling to discuss what she had seen, Ace apologized to her teachers for her actions, stating that she understood now the danger she had put herself in. Surprised by her fortitude and skill in forging through a number of Massassi warriors guarding the area, Luke elected to allow Sazi to handle the matter.

Sazi, sensing that Ace was withholding information from them, made a snap decision to take on Ace as her own apprentice. Ace, for her part, would continue to conceal the nature of her visions, planning to take action on them herself.

Now accepted as Apprentice to Sazi, Ace would begin a tour of the galaxy alongside her master. The second apprentice chosen by Sazi, Davin Thale, would remain aloof and distant from Ace. Believing this to be an effect of her exposure to the dark visions, Ace would treat Davin less than cordially.

Eventually, however, Ace confronted Davin on his strange behavior. To her surprise, her fellow apprentice would apologize, blushing in his humiliation.

Realizing the true nature of his reserved attitude toward her, Ace would soften her attitude toward him. In time, the two apprentices would become a close-knit working partnership in support of their master.